Rocky View County (RVC) will receive $4,129,750 from the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund to support the Cooperative Stormwater Management Initiative.
The Cooperative Stormwater Management Initiative is a program designed to relieve chronic flooding issues in the region which results in significant damage to existing irrigation infrastructure.
“I’m incredibly pleased to see the approval of this much-needed initiative to prevent flooding and improve drainage. I look forward to the benefits it will bring to the constituency of Chestermere-Strathmore,” said the Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism, and Status of Women and MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore, Leela Aheer.
The TIER program is Alberta’s approach to reducing emissions and improving climate resilience, as the program will equip communities with the resources to address future weather fluctuations.
The government of Alberta is spending a total of $53 million from TIER to create jobs through flood mitigation projects.
Projects will include flood mitigation infrastructure, watershed restoration projects, and a new program to help municipalities and Indigenous communities adapt to future floods.
“Severe weather events, including floods and drought, have disrupted the lives of Albertans and our economy too often in recent years. The investments announced today will help protect communities against severe weather events, now and in the future, and support good jobs for Albertans,” said the Minister of Environment and Parks, Jason Nixon.
The TIER system’s goal is to enhance the ability of Alberta’s communities to adapt to changes in weather.
Ten high-priority flood mitigation projects across the province will receive a total of $45 million, including flood protection for Edmonton’s two water treatment plants.
While work to protect communities and critical infrastructure in Canmore and the Municipal District of Bighorn from debris, including large boulders and trees, has already begun.
Stormwater improvements in the Municipal District of Taber will also be funded.
The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) will receive $4.5 million to administer a new Climate Adaptation Program to help municipalities and Indigenous communities in Alberta better understand, manage and adjust to a changing climate.
The Climate Adaptation Program will help communities learn about climate adaptation, assess how vulnerable they are to events like floods, droughts, and severe storms, and build climate adaptation plans.
“The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association is pleased that municipalities and Indigenous communities in Alberta will have the opportunity to access the Climate Adaptation Program. The Action Centre, with its decade-long success record, will successfully develop and administer this innovative program. With the support of the Action Centre, participants will increase their climate adaptation ability, assess climate vulnerabilities, and build climate adaptation plans to help keep their communities safe,” said the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association President, Barry Morishita.
A total of $3.5 million will be available through the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program to support new projects that improve watersheds and better prepare communities for flood and drought.
Eligible organizations can apply for funding until Jan. 4, 2021.
