Rocky View County (RVC) is submitting a $2.39-million application to the Provincial government under its Southern Alberta Disaster Recovery Program to help with the bill of rebuilding damaged infrastructure during the June floods.
“June 19 to June 26, 2013 saw RVC under a state of emergency as a result of the dramatic and sudden increase in the flows along the Bow and Elbow Rivers and many of the rivers’ tributaries,” an administration report presented to RVC council on Sept. 10 outlined.
Howard Bell, maintenance manager at RVC, said in his presentation to council, the application amount represents the estimated costs for 33 projects that will require Provincial funding assistance to complete.
“In some cases, costs may change as the work is completed and those actual costs can be submitted to the Province once they are known,” he said, adding this application does not preclude the County from applying for additional funding.
“If we can justify additional costs, the Province will reimburse us for them.”
Byron Riemann, general manager of Infrastructure and Operations with RVC, said the funding available from the Provincial government is to be used to return infrastructure to what existed before the floods.
“Additional programs are also being considered by the Province to protect what we are building today to ensure we won’t be dealing with another scenario like this in the future,” said Riemann.
“That program has yet to be announced but we are still working with the Province to see what protections we can do in terms of making sure these roads aren’t washed out year after year if the same event happens.”
County staff said various road repairs are ongoing with tentative completion by this fall.
“Several of the more comprehensive reconstruction projects are awaiting funding award, Engineering, tendering and may not be completed before winter. With these required elements in place, this may mean completion in the 2014 construction season,” said RVC staff Cole Nelson in an email.
Some of the funds include:
• $550,000 for emergency operations including overtime pay, food, equipment and materials
• $210,000 for water intake damages in the Hamlet of Bragg Creek along the Elbow River
• $400,000 to pump flooded ponds and areas along Township Road 224B in Conrich
• $300,000 to pump water to reduce high water levels in Meadow Drive in Bearspaw
• $35,000 to repair amenities at the Hamlet of Bragg Creek Community Centre
RVC has also contacted the Government of Alberta about what program funding is available for water and wastewater needs within the County, specifically in the Hamlet of Bragg Creek. Riemann said the County has yet to receive an official comment from the Province, but conversations are ongoing.
