NINE COMMUNITIES IN THE HUMBOLDT DISTRICT APPROVED FOR FLOOD PROTECTION GRANTS

Nine communities in the Humboldt district were recently approved for assistance under the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program.

The towns of Aberdeen, Bruno and Colonsay, the rural municipalities of Colonsay, Humboldt and Wolverine, the villages of Muenster and Viscount and the Hamlet of Carmel will share funding from the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority totalling just more than $300,000. The grants will cover a variety of flood protection activities including pumping equipment, clearing snow, ditches and channels, steaming culverts, the construction and upgrades of berms and culverts, and sandbagging a sewage lift station, well sites and well control building.

"I am pleased that government is able to assist these communities with their flood protection plans," Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Dustin Duncan said. "By working proactively we will reduce the risk of flood damage this spring."

These nine communities have shown leadership by planning to mitigate any flood damages that may occur this year by accessing funding through the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program," Education Minister and Humboldt MLA Donna Harpauer said. "We are pleased that our government had the ability to provide funding to support their flood protection plans now and in the future."

The $22 million Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program provides technical and financial assistance to communities and individuals to protect homes and permanent structures against flood damage in 2011. Due to a wet fall and above-average snow accumulation, the risk of flooding during the spring runoff is higher than normal. Saskatchewan Watershed Authority provides 50 per cent of the estimated costs for temporary works, 75 per cent for permanent works and 85 per cent for farm yards.

Further details about the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program and the spring runoff forecast are available at Saskatchewan Watershed Authority regional offices or on the province's flood website at www.saskflood.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Warren Thomson
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Yorkton
Phone: 306-786-1492
Email: warren.thomson@swa.ca