WHEREAS the Fraser River between Hope and Georgia Strait is an important transportation and environmentally significant corridor; AND WHEREAS there has been a steady reduction in available provincial and federal funds to maintain and implement improvements along the Lower Fraser River: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities request that the provincial and federal governments develop a comprehensive and sustainable funding mechanism for ongoing operation of the debris trap, Fraser River dredging, and flood control e.g. dyking improvements along the Lower Fraser River.
Ministry of Environment Rivers are important to British Columbias economy as well as the health of our communities and natural resources. The Ministry of Environment recognizes the importance of flood protection practices and infrastructure, and continues to explore additional options and tools for successful implementation of the new flood hazard model. In 2005, the Ministry of Public Safety Solicitor General announced the creation of the Natural Hazards Mitigation Fund and a portion of that fund will be used to support upgrades to the flood protection infrastructure. The 2002 Living Rivers Trust Fund established to protect and restore British Columbias river systems and to improve watershed management and fish habitats will benefit the Lower Fraser River. The ministry is continuing to work with partners such as the federal government, local government, First Nations and the business community in the development of comprehensive and sustainable funding mechanisms for the debris trap, dredging and other flood protection infrastructure.
Fisheries Oceans Canada Liberal Government Resolution B26 seeks federal funding for Fraser River Maintenance and Flood Protection to cover ongoing operation of the debris trap, Fraser River dredging and flood control. Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO supports the principle of maintaining the Fraser River debris trap for its benefits in the areas of navigational safety and environmental health. In the past, DFO has joined with other federal, provincial and municipal agencies in contributing to funding the operation of the debris trap. However, I regret to say that Pacific Region does not anticipate having any funding available in our next fiscal year to contribute to this worthwhile program. I understand that the Fraser Basin Council FBC is currently reviewing the feasibility of the long-term sustainability of the debris trap. With regard to federal funds for dredging, I would like to explain that neither Fisheries and Oceans Canada nor Canadian Coast Guard CCG has a mandate for Fraser River dredging any longer. Our previous involvement in dredging ended in 1998, as a result of a Program Review decision. Dredging in the Fraser River is now carried out and managed by the Fraser River Port Authority, a federal crown agency reporting to Transport Canada. The Minister of Transport stated publicly that this issue was a priority and indicated that any federal funding would need to be addressed in the broader context of infrastructure developments, such as the Pacific Gateway initiative. It is important to note that the risk of flooding is affected by many different factors. The optimum solution will be the creation of a long-term flood-prevention program - a complete and comprehensive flood-hazard management strategy that defines a broad range of initiatives necessary to prevent floods and flood damage. Fisheries and Oceans in Pacific Region will be pleased to cooperate with and assist the province of British Columbia, municipal governments and First Nations in their efforts to improve flood protection and prevention. In that regard, DFO representatives were involved in the preparation of the Fraser Basin Councils flood control plan for the province. This comprehensive plan is currently being reviewed by the FBC, and by the provincial and federal emergency preparedness agencies.