Residents of Drumheller will have the chance to speak directly to the Government of Alberta regarding the town’s post-flood recovery tonight (Wednesday, August 28).
Starting at 7 p.m. at the Badlands Community Facility, the province is hosting a Community Information Session.
“This is the opportunity to have your questions answered. The press release (from the province) cleaned up a lot of questions, but not all of them,” said Yemen. “They may not have the answers, but if we ask, they will get them for us.”
On Monday, August 26, the province released a statement officially recognizing Drumheller and Fort McMurray, which are both largely located in floodways, to be exempt from the proposed provincial development ban in floodways.
The Government of Alberta is designating Drumheller an exception to the development ban in floodways, citing the town’s extensive mitigation, such as at Newcastle Park. The province is holding an information session for residents of Drumheller today at 7 p.m. in the Badlands Community Facility. The meeting will allow residents to ask the province directly any questions regarding flood recovery.
“Having developed in a floodway for decades, these municipalities face unique situations that require unique solutions. We need to put measures in place to protect the community, but it would be fiscally unreasonable to move entire urban areas or not allow for future development. This decision ensures the best outcomes for everyone,” said Doug Griffiths, Minister of Muncipal Affairs, via press release.
The Government of Alberta is recognizing the mitigation efforts and the development policies outlined in the Town’s Land Use Bylaw, which already restricts development in flood risk areas. The province and Town will be working together to finalize approved development areas and providing adequate mitigation.
“We are pleased to see the province’s recognition of the flood mitigation efforts in 2005 and 2013 were effective. We will work with the province to take additional steps to improve our flood control systems, while protecting our citizens and their property in the future,” said Yemen.
However, the Town is hoping the province will step up and help provide further mitigation, particularly in Rosedale and Lehigh.
“There are some areas where we have to do flood mitigation, so we want to know the province’s plan and the timelines they have on these areas. There is work needing to be done in Rosedale and Lehigh,” said Yemen. “These are the people (the province) who can build the dykes. We’re working on reports on all the hot spots in Drumheller that need mitigation and we’ll be presenting that to the province in two weeks.”
Last week the province released a list of flood impacted communities and how many homes are eligible to be relocated in each. No homes in Drumheller were identified as being eligible.
“They’re taking into consideration all the mitigation. They’re not relocating homes, because of all the mitigation and the ability to do more,” said Yemen.
Two weeks ago, the province backtracked on their intent to implement location notices on land titles located in floodways. Disaster Recovery Program notices will be placed on land titles for properties that received funding from the Disaster Recovery Program.
All residents are encouraged to attend the meeting today at 7 p.m. in the Badlands Community Facility.
