— BC Flood Strategy —
The Province of British Columbia is working on a new BC Flood Strategy to help to reduce flood risks and enhance the resilience of communities to future flood events. An Intentions Paper called From Flood Risk to Resilience was the focus of government-to-government engagements in 2022 and released for public comment. A “What We Heard” paper is expected in 2023. Follow the BC Flood Strategy to learn about next steps.
The vision, as set out in the Intentions Paper, states that “Together, we are leaders in innovative, holistic flood risk management, enhancing BC’s flood resilience for the 21st century.”
The BC Flood Strategy is intended to be a strategic framework for flood resilience in BC and therefore may provide guidance for regional and local flood plans. The strategy will address provincial commitments under the BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and align with the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Four program areas and related actions are set out in the Intentions Paper. These are based on the Sendai Framework and on early consultations. Here is a summary:
Program Area 1: Understanding Flood Risks
Action 1.1: Work with other levels of government to advance flood maps to better inform flood construction levels and development decisions
Action 1.2: Conduct a province-wide flood risk assessment
Action 1.3: Strengthen dike regulatory programs
Action 1.4: Increase public and business awareness of flood risks
Action 1.5: Support applied research and training
Program Area 2: Strengthening Flood Risk Governance
Action 2.1: Improve First Nations’ involvement in flood resilience decision-making
Action 2.2: Review and modernise provincial legislation, regulations and policies to address flood risks
Action 2.3: Review and modernise provincial technical guidance
Program Area 3: Enhancing Flood Preparedness, Response and Recovery
Action 3.1: Enhance flood forecasting capabilities and early warning systems
Action 3.2: Enhance flood preparedness by developing and exercising flood emergency response plans at multiple scales
Action 3.3: Enhance emergency response activities
Action 3.4: Enhance pre-disaster recovery planning and post-disaster recovery, including “Build Back Better”
Program Area 4: Investing for Flood Resilience
Action 4.1: Enhance investments in flood avoidance
Action 4.2: Enhance investments in flood accommodation
Action 4.3: Enhance investments in flood protection