WHEREAS many communities in all areas of British Columbia contain land that is subject to land slippage or movement and local governments in many of these communities have experienced, or are experiencing, problems caused by land slippage or potential for land slippage; AND WHEREAS land slippage issues are a threat to transportation, utilities, municipal infrastructure, and public safety, and impact property values as well as the local government tax base; AND WHEREAS the costs for mapping, investigation and remediation of land slippage areas and potential land slippage areas is frequently beyond the financial ability of local government taxpayers; AND WHEREAS the Province of BC has provided technical and financial assistance to a number of communities on an ad hoc basis for addressing land slippage issues and has ensured financial support after disasters occur: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the provincial government to allocate funding in the Ministry of Community Services base budget to assist local government to address land slippage issues and that such funding be available to local governments for mapping, investigation and, where practical, remediation of land slippage; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the provincial government to assist local governments and property owners with the cost of repairs to buildings and infrastructure damaged by land slippage.
Ministry of Community Services Although the Ministry of Community Services Ministry does not have a fund specifically earmarked to address land slippage issues, it has a range of funding programs that might assist in mapping, investigation and where practical, remediation of land slippage. As such, a number of funding sources from the Ministry could address land slippage, albeit indirectly. The Infrastructure Planning Grant Program IPGP, administered by the Ministry, has funded many projects that address land slippage, primarily due to its impact on groundwater. The IPGP has a funding ceiling of 10,000 and helps communities plan in the development of sustainable infrastructure that will improve public health and safety, protect the natural environment and strengthen local and regional economies. The fund provides communities with financial support that might address issues of land slippage, due to the role slippage issues might have in projects which are eligible for funding. Besides the IPGP, the Ministry administers the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund MRIF. This fund was launched in the fall of 2006, with 102 million committed to infrastructure projects across the Province of British Columbia. Although the MRIF is not specifically designed to address land slippage, it may do so through its funding of other eligible projects; for example, where land slippage impacts drinking water quality or waste water infrastructure. The Provincial Emergency Program PEP might provide funds when there is an imminent risk pertaining to land slippage. However, PEP does not have a current fund designed to proactively address land slippage. This being said, PEP may assist with land slippage and its impact on infrastructure, after the slip has occurred.