The provincial government is being accused of avoiding responsibility when it comes to flooding.
The Regional District of North Okanagan board wants Victoria to take immediate control for flood management including incident command during emergencies, identification of flood-related hazards, remediation of stream channels to mitigate flooding, monitoring stream flows and responding to debris dams.
“There is frustration,” said director Jackie Pearase.
Last spring, high water levels created significant damage in the Ashton Creek area, east of Enderby, and along two roads in the BX, near Vernon.
There were widespread concerns that government agencies did not provide sufficient resources during or after the emergency, and little has been done to ensure flooding doesn’t occur in the future.
“People feel they are getting the run-around,” said Ron Baker, RDNO’s community protective services manager.
Director Mike Macnabb says the BX roads were closed for months because the government had to order equipment, such as culverts.
“A little pre-planning could have expedited the problems on BX Creek,” he said of having supplies stocked locally in case of an emergency.
Some Ashton Creek residents are worried flooding could occur this year because last year’s damage has not been cleaned up.
“They have a creek bed that’s six feet higher right behind a mobile home park,” said Pearase.
