As the RMWB awaits approval of its Green Homes Plan for Abasand and Beacon Hill it has said more study of the requirements for the flood plain is needed in Waterways before they can establish a re-occupation plan for that community.
According to Wild Rose leader and Fort McMurray-Conklin MLA Brian Jean, Mayor Melissa Blake has written to the province to ask that they instead approve a proposal the municipality has put together to install demountable flood barriers that would protect the area in a one in 100 year flood event.
Right now that is the minimum protection required under provincial legislation. There is a possibility that federal legislation would require an additional protection for a one in 200 year event, which could be met by the same demountable flood barriers with some additional expense.
To protect against a one in 100 year event with the demountable barriers system the RMWB forecasts a cost that would be roughly half the projected $207 million for a permanent dyke system using earthworks, a more traditional flood mitigation system.
Jean, who is also leader of the Official Opposition, is calling on the NDP to quickly approve this latest flood mitigation plan.
“Approval of this request would remove a major hurdle in the rebuilding of the Waterways neighbourhood. The municipality has asked the province to approve this plan and I will give my support to any proposal or suggestion which will speed up reconstruction activity in Fort McMurray,” said Brian Jean.
He has repeatedly called for barriers to redevelopment to be removed so that residents can begin the work needed to rebuild their homes in all areas of the community damaged in the wildfire.
Jean also echoed comments from RMWB staff and Mayor Blake citing the success of similar demountable technology in northern and central Europe. The technology has also been used in Indiana.
“Ministers Phillips and Larivee giving a quick yes to this request is an important first step towards beginning reconstruction for the hundreds of burnt-out households in Waterways,” he said.
Jean and several members of his family lost their homes in Waterways.
“Homeowners are stressed, tired, and frustrated but nothing would be more helpful for the mental health of the residents of Fort McMurray than getting the rebuild underway as quickly as possible,” Jean said.
As of last Thursday, the RMWB has received 1,116 demolition permit applications and issued 1,083 permits.
They’ve also completed 142 post-demolition inspections and issued one rebuilding permit in Wood Buffalo.
