Whereas the provincial Flood Hazard Management Land Use Guidelines, which require that dike improvements meet strict seismic standards while also making allowance for future sea-level rise, took effect in January 2018; And whereas there are properties both on and outside the dike that have historically been used for industrial, commercial and residential purposes; And whereas dike corridor upgrade strategies will have significant impacts on properties located along dikes; And whereas a 2012 provincial government study estimated that future dike upgrades in Delta alone would cost more than 1.2 billion: Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government be requested to clarify the roles and responsibilities of local governments in relation to dike upgrades and climate change; develop and implement a new comprehensive funding program for major capital works to improve the level of flood protection for the entire Lower Fraser River system; and provide long-term funding to support municipal dike corridor upgrade strategies.
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Government recognizes that upgrading dikes is expensive for communities and that limited funding to address these emerging issues is a challenge to flood management. Current legislation, regulation andor policy may need to be updated to clarify the roles and responsibilities of governments to upgrade flood infrastructure to meet climate change. The Province is currently developing a Provincial Flood Risk Strategy. In the interim, Government will continue to provide and update guidelines and information on managing and adapting to seismic risks and climate change, so that local governments and First Nations can plan for mitigation and adaption measures. Government continues to collaborate with the Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy and its partners to review potential funding models that take into consideration climate change and seismic issues on critical flood infrastructure. Government is working to improve access to and funding levels of programs, such as the Disaster Mitigation and Adaption Fund, to address large-scale flood infrastructure improvements.