MISSION, B.C. - The federal government gave a boost Thursday to crews working around the clock along B.C.'s Fraser River, racing to shore up dikes before the expected heavy spring flooding.
A higher than normal snowpack in the mountains this year has raised concerns that a warm-weather spell could trigger fast melting snow to race down and swell the Fraser River, flooding the homes of thousands of people living along its bank.
In announcing the federal government will pay $16.5 million of the $33 million announced earlier this year by B.C. for flood mitigation efforts, Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl also indicated the government is considering embarking on a longer-term strategy with the province to help ward off the annual threat of floods.
"We felt in this case we simply couldn't wait for a long-term mitigation infrastructure plan," Strahl said.
"This money had to get out this spring. We're determined to do our part that we're as prepared as we can be here in the Fraser Valley for this year."
Strahl said discussions are ongoing as to whether the federal government should work with B.C. on a flood mitigation plan similar to the one in place for the Red River in Manitoba, a multi-year strategy designed to expand the floodway to reduce the possibility of floods.
The expansion project in Manitoba announced last month it had reached a one-in-300-year level of flood protection, equivalent to the 1826 flood that was the largest in the province's history.
In B.C., scientists and forecasters have suggested that dikes sitting at a one-in-200-year level along the Fraser are still too low - and in some places in the province, some are as much as one metre below that statistical benchmark.
A 30-minute helicopter tour along the river Thursday showed Prime Minister Stephen Harper the proximity between residents and the rushing waters and he pointed out at a news conference announcing the money that it's unusual for the federal government to step in before disaster strikes.
"Typically the federal government's role is restricted mainly to disaster relief once a disaster actually occurs," Harper said. "So it is an unusual step for the federal government to step in as quickly as it has and actually be involved in mitigation efforts."
Mission Mayor James Atebe, who roomed with Harper at the University of Calgary, said he is pleased the federal government is stepping up to the plate, but more money is still needed to thwart the flood threat and he called on the provincial government to up the ante.
"We've got a couple more weeks, three weeks if the weather continues co-operating but we're going to need more resources to finish some of the work that is remaining," he said.
"We would like to see the province indicate that now that they've got some help from the federal government they can commit more resources."
Atebe said at least $10 million more is needed to adequately prepare the Fraser to handle the rising waters.
Strahl has also announced $4 million for efforts to dredge the Fraser River to ensure that deep sea vessels can sail up the river into port.
"In B.C., our history, culture and economy are intrinsically linked to the Fraser River," Strahl said. "We have a lot of gifts from the Fraser but occasionally we have to pay a price for those gifts."
