Core provincial dollars for flood mitigation

First Nations and Métis settlements are eligible to apply for funding along with municipalities from the Alberta Community Resilience Program for projects that protect critical municipal infrastructure from flooding and drought. The recently announced cost-share program will direct $325 million to municipalities over the next three years for projects such as berms, dikes, and riverbank stabilization. Eligible projects may either protect infrastructure such as public buildings, roads, or wastewater systems, enhance public safety, or improve evacuation times. The grants will cover 90 per cent of project costs up to $3 million and 70 per cent of costs in excess of $3 million. Deadline for applications for the first round of funding is Sept. 30. The program is part of the province’s $600 million commitment announced April 29 at Alberta’s Watershed Management Symposium to fund high-priority flood mitigation projects to improve the province’s flood resiliency.