Saskatchewan government creates flood damage reduction program

Saskatchewan’s provincial government is launching a $22-million emergency flood damage reduction program to help communities, rural municipalities and individuals prepare for spring flooding.
The Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program is a joint effort between Saskatchewan’s Watershed Authority and the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing.
The program will provide 100% support for engineering to design flood protection works and cost-share a variety of flood protection actions, from constructing berms to clearing channel and culverts.
Since some communities have already initiated flood damage reduction work, the program will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2011, a Saskatchewan government release says.
It’s available to communities, resort villages, rural municipalities, rural yard sites and country residences. It is not intended for use in the protection of farmland.
“Recent runoff forecasts issued by the Watershed Authority indicate a high likelihood of flooding this year, especially in the southern part of the province,” said Dustin Duncan, the minister responsible for Saskatchewan Watershed Authority. “This emergency assistance will help communities protect their homes and businesses.”