File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart

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SOUND OFF: Spring brings hope, but also worry for Interior communities

Apr 29, 2021 | 10:08 AM

IT’S HARD NOT TO FEEL HOPEFUL AND OPTIMISTIC as the spring season unfolds. The warmer weather is welcomed by most of us, as we watch our gardens bloom back to life after a long winter — and after a long year that has left us pandemic-weary, to be sure.

But for some people in our Interior communities, springtime can also be a time of great worry and concern due to the annual freshet which typically occurs between April and July. The spring snowmelt period can overwhelm stream channels and lead to flooding as well as destabilize soil and rock, causing landslides, mudslides and rockslides.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre is responsible for monitoring snowpack levels, and its most recent snow survey and water supply bulletin notes there is a higher risk of spring flooding in B.C. due to the average of all snow measurements across the province sitting at 12 per cent above normal.

Many of our communities are in regions experiencing a higher than normal snowpack, and this has residents who live close to streams, lakes and rivers keeping a close eye on rising water levels and hoping for the best. These concerns are nothing new, however they have become more intense thanks to the increased damage caused by floods and slides in recent years.

The Interior and Cariboo have seen their fair share of disastrous wildfires, which have not only caused much damage and destruction themselves but have also contributed to the flood situation we face today. They have affected the ability of the land to absorb water, as have other factors like the mountain pine beetle, logging, land usage and climate change.

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Although residents of these communities have sadly grown used to worrying about these issues, it doesn’t mean government is off the hook when it comes to preventing these occurrences. A proactive approach, rather than a reactive one, is a start. It means working with local and federal governments and First Nations to assess hazards, risks and potential vulnerabilities to address them before it’s too late. The government must ensure our rural communities have the right tools and resources to reinforce our waterfronts, roads and homes before these dangers arrive at our doorsteps.

Proper flood resiliency planning is key to helping communities prepare for these major events — and hopefully, avoid the devastatingly stressful and costly outcomes we’ve seen in recent years.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.