Fraser River - Another Example of 'Downloading'
In 2007, Abbotsford was one of several communities
along the Fraser River scrambling resources to secure dykes against the spring
freshet. The Vedder and Matsqui Dykes were both raised to meet the approaching
threat of possible flooding. Additionally, protective measures were also
implemented to safeguard the JAMES treatments plant against flood threat. The
total cost of all three projects was $9,057K., of which the provincial
government contributed $4,000K. The City paid $5,042K out of Storm Reserves and
the District of Mission contributed $33K towards the JAMES treatment plant
costs.
The City of Abbotsford lobbied the federal government
for financial assistance - directly, through the FVRD, and through local farm
groups. In due course, the federal government did forward funds to the
provincial government, as a result of this lobbying; however, no additional
funds were received by the City.
Fast forward seven years and the City once again finds
itself having to direct financial resources for remedial work to protect the
Matsqui Dyke against river currents caused by an ever-changing river. For many
years, the point has been made to provincial and federal authorities that the
river hydrology has resulted in sand accumulations that have redirected river
currents against the Matsqui Dyke. Five identifiable erosion arcs have
materialized over the last few years, with one in particular posing severe
threat, eroding the south bank to within metres of the toe of the dyke. Work to
remediate this particular erosion arc has been completed at a cost of
$2,767,700, of which the provincial government gave permission to transfer
grant funding intended for the Glen Valley dyke. In addition the provincial
government forwarded $250K in new money, leaving a shortfall of $1,300,000 to
be taken out of General Reserve. Once again, Abbotsford property taxpayers are
on the hook for dyke repairs.
Of particular interest, and great concern, is
the tone of the recent letter received by the City, from our Attorney General. She
writes,
“Should
a new program be made available, local authorities will be informed of any new
opportunities for funding.” and “Erosion is a common
and natural process that takes place across British Columbia. The potential magnitude of a comprehensive
erosion control program by the Province is fiscally prohibitive.”
If I understand her correctly,
she is saying that the provincial government cannot afford to fund the ongoing
management and maintenance of the Fraser River; that local jurisdictions along
the river course should be prepared to share this financial responsibility.
These expenditures are the
direct result of the seasonal threats from a flooding Fraser River, and eroding
currents directed at the south bank by the Fraser River, as a result of
changing hydrology. Any decisions to address the causes of these changes are
outside the parameters of our jurisdiction; we are virtually powerless to make
effective changes, and are at the mercy of federal and provincial ministries to
manage the river in a way that could reduce this threat to the south shore.
And yet Abbotsford
Property-Tax payers have been asked to finance emergency works on the river
banks and dykes, over the past 6 years, to the tune of $6,342,000 (55%). They
are carrying the lion’s share of the costs to safeguard our community against
the continuous threat posed by this powerful river. It should be noted that not
only is 5000 hectares of diversified farmland at risk, but also vital
infrastructure that has both provincial and federal significance – a provincial
highway, a national railway line, BC hydro towers, gas mains, water mains, National
Defence communication centre, and a waste water treatment plant.
The last thing I want is to
sound ungrateful for the financial assistance we have received, but with all
due respect to our senior levels of government, management of the Fraser River
is not the responsibility of local governments along the river’s path. It is
past time for them to step forward and initiate effective measures that will
address the causes of this continuous threat, not only to the south bank of the river, but also complete oversight and management of the river along its entire course, including the full funding of same.
