Alberta committee asked for measures to reduce flood damage

The Alberta government is developing a long-term strategy to reduce flood damage.The province’s transportation department has announced the establishment of a Flood Risk Management Committee. The interdepartmental committee will develop a strategy to better manage and mitigate flood damage. George Groeneveld, MLA for Highwood, will chair the committee, which includes staff from the ministries of infrastructure and transportation, environment, and municipal affairs, as well as support from a number of other ministries.”I’m very pleased to be involved with this initiative,” Groeneveld says. “The floods of 2005 make it clear that this province needs to look at better ways to deal with these events.”The committee will examine several measures, including:- expanded flood risk assessment to gain better information for flood forecasting, mitigation, and emergency response;- flood mitigation works; and- adopting measures that curtail development in flood-prone areas. The committee will present its findings in early 2006 to a Ministerial Task Force. Members of the task force include Dr. Lyle Oberg, minister of infrastructure and transportation, Guy Boutilier, minister of the environment, and Municipal Affairs Minister Rob Renner.”While we can’t control the forces of nature, we can certainly be proactive and take measures to reduce the damage, expense, and inconvenience of floods,” Oberg says.Boutilier likewise expressed his strong support for the initiative. “Alberta Environment plays an important role in flood preparations by providing accurate and timely information to municipalities and other authorities,” he says. “This initiative will further enhance that effort by bringing together each department’s expertise to help further protect Albertans.””The recent floods have shown the need to review our flood mitigation and response strategies,” adds Renner. “By working with municipalities on careful land-use planning and effective flood response, we can continue to take the steps needed to help keep Albertans and their property safe.”