Funding Will Help Communities Better Understand Flood Risks, Solutions

NOTE: A list of projects follows this release.

Government is providing a total of $147,500 to communities to investigate the causes of flooding and explore solutions.

The Flood Assessment Fund will support five projects on mitigation planning, property assessment and public education, and investigating water flow volumes, levels and frequency.

"These projects will contribute to our ongoing efforts to help communities and homeowners plan for the worst, and prevent excessive damage from flooding," said Environment Minister Randy Delorey.

The fund and the Flood Risk Infrastructure Investment Program, administered by the Department of Municipal Affairs, are part of the provincial Flood Mitigation Framework. The framework aims to reduce the impacts of flooding in vulnerable communities through cross-government collaboration and support for community mitigation efforts.

The Town of Mahone Bay is receiving $87,500 to identify ways to protect its shoreline from flooding, and begin engineering and design work on the embankment.

"Mahone Bay's beautiful waterfront is vulnerable to storms, particularly along the road where our renowned three churches are close to the shoreline," said Kelly Wilson, chair of the Mahone Bay Harbour Development Committee and the town councillor leading the project. "This funding will help us take steps to ensure we can weather the effects of climate change and protect our heritage and quality of life."

Proposals for grant funding were due July 1. The fund provides up to 50 per cent of eligible costs. Municipalities interested in applying for next year's funding can contact the fund administrator by emailing nsfloodfund@gov.ns.ca or phoning 902-424-0154.

To learn more about flooding and what can be done about it, visit www.novascotia.ca/nse/climate-change/nsfaf-flood-mitigation-framework.asp .

Following is a list of Flood Assessment Fund recipients for 2014-15:

• Municipality of East Hants, $5,000, flood assessment of municipal lands
• Municipality of East Hants, Nine Mile River, the Rain Yards program, a storm water education and runoff reduction program run by Clean Nova Scotia, $12,500
• Municipality of East Hants, Sackville River Headwaters, launch of Rain Yards program, $12,500
• Town of Kentville, flooding prevention and reduction work on Cornwallis River and Mill Brook, $30,000
• Town of Mahone Bay, flood protection, remediation and repair of shoreline embankment, $87,500