By Times Chronicle Staff
Oliver is one of 65 communities across BC that overall will receive approximately $56 million for 78 projects from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) through the Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation stream.
This funding will help communities tackle current vulnerabilities, minimize the risk of future disasters and support communities to make informed decisions in the future, according to the Province.
In Boundary-Similkameen, the following projects will be receiving funding from the Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation stream:
  • Grand Forks – Kettle River industrial dike mitigation program
    • $1.6 million investment
  • Oliver – Infrastructure improvements along Wolfcub Creek
    • $150,000 investment

“It is vital that our communities are prepared for the risk of disasters.” says Boundary-Similkameen MLA Roly Russell. “By investing in dike mitigation in Grand Forks and creek infrastructure in Oliver, we are helping mitigate risk and protect community members” as well as “building more vibrant economies.”

The CEPF is aimed at helping communities to better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate-related emergencies by funding local projects and initiatives in several categories. These include disaster-risk reduction and climate adaptation, public notification and evacuation-route planning, and emergency operations centre equipment and training.
The Province has invested $369 million into the CEPF since its establishment in 2017.