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Saskatchewan communities that are facing flooding issues this year are getting a significant bump in funding from the Water Security Agency (WSA).
On Wednesday, the agency announced the 2020-21 budget for the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program (EFDRP) will be increased from $500,000 to $2.5 million. As well, the $100,000 cap per applicant has been removed for this year.
The EFDRP, which was established in 2011, offers financial, technical and engineering assistance to people, communities and rural municipalities as they try to prevent or reduce flood damage to property.
(Water Security Agency/Submitted)
According to the government, northern Saskatchewan faces a risk of flooding due to rain and high water levels. Some communities already have passed peak levels while others — including those in the La Ronge and Air Ronge areas — could have issues in the coming weeks.
“We are facing an unprecedented year with many areas of northern Saskatchewan facing a record rainfall since April 1,” Greg Ottenbreit, the minister responsible for the WSA, said in a media release.
“It is clear we have to both expand the financial capacity of the program this year to provide immediate assistance, and for the long term we also need to better understand certain watersheds where limited information is available.”
Part of the funding will be used to study the effect of higher-than-normal water levels in the Churchill River Basin and parts of the Saskatchewan River Basin.
According to the release, the agency has determined that every dollar invested in flood prevention through the program saves $20 to $30 in future property damage.