Lumby’s concerns about flooding have gone provincial.
Mayor Kevin Acton and council discussed the need to reduce the flooding risk with Environment Minister Mary Polak and Forests Minister Steve Thompson at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver.
“We talked about the responsibility of controlling water and the impact of pine beetle kill and climate change,” said Acton.
“The province has allowed companies to clean out pine beetle kill and that has led to flooding.”
There were also discussions about Lumby’s assertion that the Regional District of North Okanagan’s water controls on Duteau Creek have contributed to flooding downstream.
No promises for flood mitigation were made, but the ministers stated their staff would do studies on the situation and then make a decision based on that process.
“We need the support of the government,” said Acton.
Acton and his council also met with Health Minister Terry Lake to promote the concept of a campus of care that meets a variety of health needs.
“We have applied for three different grants for a feasibility study. There were no promises as to where that will go,” said Acton.
