Regional Board To Fund Flood Protection Infrastructure In Oyster River

The Regional Board has adopted a new bylaw establishing a service to fund the operation and maintenance of flood protection infrastructure in the Oyster River area of Electoral Area D.

The Regional Board has adopted a new bylaw establishing a service to fund the operation and maintenance of flood protection infrastructure in the Oyster River area of Electoral Area D.

The new law allows the Regional District to requisition up to $8,350 annually, based on property assessment, to operate and maintain flood protection infrastructure in the area.

This includes the Glenmore Road dike structure and related infrastructure which was upgraded to modern standards in 2019 using funds provided by the Province of BC.

Prior to this new bylaw, number 457, the Regional District had no reliable mechanism for raising funds to meet annual maintenance needs.

Brenda Leigh, Director for Electoral Area D, says the Oyster River has a long history of seasonal flooding and this will allow the District to be more proactive in ensuring that flood damage is minimized.

Although the Regional District will be unable to raise funds for the new service until 2023, it will now be able to start the process of ensuring that plans are in place for annual inspections, performance monitoring, and any repairs or maintenance tasks that are required.

About 800 area residents affected by the changes were given time to object to the by-law - the District says there were no objections.