The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has received over $1 million in funding for a review to identify natural hazards in the region and the risks associated with BC’s changing climate. The Regional District is partnering with the municipalities of Prince George, Mackenzie, McBride and Valemount along with the Lheidli T’enneh and the McLeod Lake Indian Band. Project management support will come from Fraser Basin Council and BGC Engineering.
The $1,050,000 comes from the UBCM Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation program. The review will happen in two phases:
- Phase one will consist of risk mapping, assessments and planning. It will identify flood and steep creek geohazards and assess how susceptible they may be to climate change.
- Phase two will see flood hazard mapping completed for select areas. This will include engagement with First Nations to incorporate traditional knowledge about geohazards and place-based Indigenous understanding of risk priorities.
The review will provide the Regional District and its partners with a better understanding of the natural hazards in the region and what, if anything, can be done to mitigate those risks and better support emergency event response. It will also provide more information when considering land use planning, building inspection, emergency management and climate change policy.