Government Funding for Flood Protective Works

WHEREAS local governments within the Lower Mainland have expressed their extreme concern with the inadequate or non-existent funding from senior government for diking construction, renewal or replacement; AND WHEREAS the lack of funding and action further exacerbates the threat of high water levels anticipated in spring 2007 in the Fraser River as well as other rivers in the province and this threat is expected to continue over time due to non-removal of gravel and silt aggradation that is not being removed due to fishery concerns: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada are urgently requested to recreate adequate funding levels through such programs as the Natural Hazard Mitigation Fund and an annual diking program whereby the necessary protective works can be funded.