A Lehigh resident is concerned about the future of his property and is wishing for more information on the province’s flood mitigation plan.
Shawn Lumsden, resident of Lehigh, has learned through a FOIP request a proposal for flood mitigation in front of the province that includes a berm that crosses through the community near East Coulee. He said the community is not supportive of such a plan.
“We do not want a berm down the middle of Lehigh and our concerns and suggestions need to be listened to before a mitigation measure can move forward,” he said in a letter emailed to residents as well as the town and media.
He explains that in September of last year Lehigh residents met with a consultant team. He felt the survey was limited in scope.
“Our communications regarding mitigation ideas, questions, concerns, suggestions, solutions and history from people who had lived in our area through past high water events, was ignored and obviously not even documented,” he states.
He feels there could be a better solution.
“The…berm would only destroy our community at the expense of tax payer’s dollars when there are much better, more efficient and much more cost effective flood mitigation measures that have been suggested and are available.”
Mayor Terry Yemen responded to Lumsden to clarify the situation. He states that there is no approved plan for mitigation of the area, nor has the Town of Drumheller developed any plans.
“There is, however, nine priorities for flood mitigation for the entire valley as developed by Stantec Engineering which has been submitted to the Province of Alberta for their consideration for grant funding. The Town’s understanding is that the Government of Alberta is doing a cost study in regard to these flood mitigation priorities or buyouts. Once approved by the Government of Alberta, it is Stantec's intent to again meet with the residents that would be affected." states Yemen’s letter.
Further, “The Town understands that residents’ lives have been put on hold and they have and will continue to bring this to the attention of the Government of Alberta at every opportunity.”
