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Flooding is considered to be the most expensive disaster in Canadian history.
Effects of climate change and sea level rise place the Lower Mainland at increasing risk of catastrophic floods from the Fraser River freshet to coastal storms and king tides. Many Coast Salish communities are vulnerable to floods and other risks and can leverage an opportunity to build a disaster resilient region by working together. The Emergency Planning Secretariat is an a-political organization created to support a coordinated mainland Coast Salish-led flood management strategy, from Yale to Tsawwassen to Squamish. |
GROWING LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
The Emergency Planning Secretariat (EPS) is pleased to announce that we have grown our Leadership Committee!
Chawathil Chief Norman Florence, Cheam Councillor Ray Douglas, and Tzeachten Councillor Loren Muth have joined the ranks of Sto:lo Tribal Chief Tyrone McNeil, Aitchelitz Chief Angie Bailey, Semiahmoo Chief Harley Chappell, and Katzie Councillor Rick Bailey in forming the EPS Leadership Committee. Our 7 member Leadership Committee directs the organization and the regional strategic direction for EPS to support 31 Mainland Coast Salish communities from Yale-Squamish-Tsawwassen across the four pillars of disaster risk reduction.
Our previous Leadership Committee member, Murray Ned, has stepped down as Sumas Councillor and Leadership Committee member with the EPS team as he laser focuses his time on the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance (LFFA). Murray remains a close partner to EPS, which sits under the umbrella of the LFFA organizational structure and shares office space. Thank you Murray and Sumas First Nation for your continued support!
Chawathil Chief Norman Florence, Cheam Councillor Ray Douglas, and Tzeachten Councillor Loren Muth have joined the ranks of Sto:lo Tribal Chief Tyrone McNeil, Aitchelitz Chief Angie Bailey, Semiahmoo Chief Harley Chappell, and Katzie Councillor Rick Bailey in forming the EPS Leadership Committee. Our 7 member Leadership Committee directs the organization and the regional strategic direction for EPS to support 31 Mainland Coast Salish communities from Yale-Squamish-Tsawwassen across the four pillars of disaster risk reduction.
Our previous Leadership Committee member, Murray Ned, has stepped down as Sumas Councillor and Leadership Committee member with the EPS team as he laser focuses his time on the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance (LFFA). Murray remains a close partner to EPS, which sits under the umbrella of the LFFA organizational structure and shares office space. Thank you Murray and Sumas First Nation for your continued support!
Industry Internship Program for Indigenous High School Students!
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FNESS and IndigenousTech.ai are excited to announce the Industry Internship Program for Indigenous High School Students! No previous experience required. Deadline to apply is April 21, 2023. Contact Tammy Dong at tdong@fness.bc.ca for more information.
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News
Environmental Technician Training Certificate with Vancouver Island University & Leq:amel FN
There are 6 seats are available for a 5-week Environmental Technician Certificate program from February 27 to March 31 for a total of 5 weeks. The cost is $5,500 per seat. Leq'a:mel FN is hosting the training which is administered by Vancouver Island University in Deroche.
Please connect with Sally for details, if you have any questions, or would like to reserve a seat - sally@leqamel.ca
Please connect with Sally for details, if you have any questions, or would like to reserve a seat - sally@leqamel.ca
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Grant Writing Workshop with Reichert and Associates Feb 21 & 28
Join EPS and Instructor Stephen Reichert from Reichert and Associates for a Virtual Grant Writing Workshop. The interactive workshop will held over virtual Zoom and split over 2 days, February 21 and February 28, starting at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm both days for (a total of 5 hours). The training will provide an opportunity for participants to gain firsthand knowledge from an experienced grant writer and strategist.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will have a practical understanding of the grant-seeking relationships that need to be cultivated within and outside their organizations; how to develop a funding idea and “package” it; and, how to create a successful strategy for sustainable grant writing.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will have a practical understanding of the grant-seeking relationships that need to be cultivated within and outside their organizations; how to develop a funding idea and “package” it; and, how to create a successful strategy for sustainable grant writing.
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In this workshop participants will:
• Prepare themselves and their workplaces for undertaking grant writing • Learn how to create the foundational pieces of grant applications • Learn tips and tools for exceptional writing • Understand what funders look for and how they assess proposals • Have access to our Grant Writing 101 workbook |
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For more information about the workshop contact Debbie Combes debbie.combes@emplans.ca
Register here at https://emplans.wufoo.com/forms/qy153s81rl3ksr/
Register here at https://emplans.wufoo.com/forms/qy153s81rl3ksr/
Sto:lo Regional Geohazard Assessment - Disaster Risk Reduction - Climate Adaptation Fund
EPS-FNESS are working with BGC Engineering and Ebbwater to develop a Tier 1 high level assessment of geohazard risks in the upriver and midriver areas of the Fraser River followed by Tier 2 detailed site-specific assessments. The engineers will engage with communities to determine Tier 2 information to be collected that is more site specific to the communities. This information will be kept separate and confidential to that community, as the community directs and as per OCAP principles.
To support the funding application and conduct the work, a single community must be the designated lead applicant to handle the grant funding administration, including supply a BCR for the project by the Feb 24 deadline. Seabird Island has kindly offered to volunteer to fill the role of lead applicant. The DRR-CA grant funding for category one assessment runs up to $150,00 with an additional amount of up to $150,000 per additional community, with the intention that the regional nature of the process will realize cost efficiencies.
We’re requesting that communities interested in participating in this project provide us with a notice of intention to participate in the project – email is fine – by February 22, with a BCR to follow when possible. We will include this information in the grant application to support our grant ask. If your community is not interested in participating, we’d greatly appreciate a note of support of the project for the other participating communities.
We're also happy to support your community in pursuing an independent geohazard assessment, just let us know at maggie@emplans.ca
We’re happy to answer any questions, including the workplan and deliverables, which we will be developing and reviewing with communities closer to the application deadline – February 24, 2023.
SEEKING INTEREST FOR POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION GRANT
Proposed Project: Sto:lo Up- and Mid-River Geohazard Risk Mapping
Introduction
Indigenous communities within Sto:lo traditional territory have been affected by floods and landslides for millennia. These are becoming more common due to large weather events such as the 2021 atmospheric river and forest fires. In the Fraser Valley it is widely known that floods and landslides—otherwise known as geohazards—can cause damage and disruption to communities and Territories. By mapping geohazard areas, this will provide information and advice to improve emergency planning in the region, now and into the future. To this end, Seabird Island Band (Seabird) and Emergency Planning Secretariat (EPS) are developing a regional application to obtain Provincial funding under the Union of BC Municipalities Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation Program (DRR-CA). We are reaching out to all the communities in the up-river and mid-river area to offer the opportunity to engage in this project work.
Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation Program Regional Application – Is your community interested?
The proposed method will take a Tier 1 high level assessment of geohazard risks in the upriver and midriver areas of the Fraser River followed by more detailed site-specific assessments. The engineers will engage with communities to determine Tier 2 information to be collected that is more site specific to the communities. This information will be kept separate and confidential to that community, as the community directs and as per OCAP principles.
To support the funding application and conduct the work, a single community must be the designated lead applicant to handle the grant funding administration, including supply a BCR for the project. Seabird Island has volunteered, and with Emergency Planning Secretariat, have established a team of engineering and science specialists from BGC Engineering Inc. and Ebbwater Consulting Inc. These firms have deep experience completing geohazard mapping and analysis across BC and experience working with First Nation communities.
How the Project Will Work
Our project team will apply diverse skills and datasets to a large area and will create “screening-level” geohazard maps. These maps may be overlaid with available information about populations, buildings, and potentially other things that communities may value (e.g., environmental, cultural, and infrastructure assets) to assess geohazard risk. See the Thompson Watershed Risk Assessment and t̓ik̓t (flood) Adaptation projects for example outcomes of previous similar assessments.
We will obtain a sense of where different geohazards, as well as a range of small to large events, occur. We will then share these maps and meet with your community to discuss initial findings. After incorporating additional knowledge you may wish to share, the information can support your community to make meaningful decisions by answering key questions such as:
We Would Like Your Feedback by February 15, 2023
We would like to know if your community is interested in participating in this project. Please email your reply to maggie@emplans.ca. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns at this time.
This short term action, as well as medium term and long term actions, are summarized in the figure on the next page.
Over the medium term by 22 February 2023, we will need a date to confirm your community’s resolution, Band Council resolution, or Local government Council or Board resolution that confirms support for the project. If the project is funded, over the long-term we will request your direct engagement with the project team to discuss flood and geohazard impacts and risks, including community members and Knowledge Keepers. These activities are likely to occur between June 2023 and October 2023 but is still to be determined.
More About the Project Area Geohazards Mapping
Given the large project area, new geohazards mapping will be done at a “screening-level” and can incorporate existing more detailed mapping. The mapping will be based on international best practice and recently developed guidelines, including the 2022 Draft Flood Mapping Guidelines for BC and 2022 landslide guidelines for BC. The floodplain mapping guidelines were authored by Ebbwater with contributions from BGC, and BGC was a primary author of the landslide guidelines. As defined in the floodplain mapping guidelines, the study area-wide project hazard maps will be like “Tier 1: Hazard Identification Mapping”, which is the most cost-effective means to achieve the project goal. If budget permits, more detailed “Tier 2: Base Level Hazard Assessment Mapping” may be completed for specific areas, as a stepping stone to future “Tier 3: Detailed Hazard Assessment Mapping”. Tier 3 mapping can be used for engineering design and site-specific assessments.
The mapping will support prioritization to determine areas where more detailed mapping should be done in the future. Higher resolution maps could then be used to answer questions such as the following:
The DRR-CA is a new iteration of a Provincial program that has been administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM), with funding provided through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF). The DRR-CA funding program is aligning Provincial actions with international best practice, the Provincial Emergency Program Act Modernization, and other shifting policies expressed recently through documents such as the Provincial Flood Strategy Intentions Paper. It aims to support eligible applicants to reduce risks from future disasters through the development and implementation of:
To support the funding application and conduct the work, a single community must be the designated lead applicant to handle the grant funding administration, including supply a BCR for the project by the Feb 24 deadline. Seabird Island has kindly offered to volunteer to fill the role of lead applicant. The DRR-CA grant funding for category one assessment runs up to $150,00 with an additional amount of up to $150,000 per additional community, with the intention that the regional nature of the process will realize cost efficiencies.
We’re requesting that communities interested in participating in this project provide us with a notice of intention to participate in the project – email is fine – by February 22, with a BCR to follow when possible. We will include this information in the grant application to support our grant ask. If your community is not interested in participating, we’d greatly appreciate a note of support of the project for the other participating communities.
We're also happy to support your community in pursuing an independent geohazard assessment, just let us know at maggie@emplans.ca
We’re happy to answer any questions, including the workplan and deliverables, which we will be developing and reviewing with communities closer to the application deadline – February 24, 2023.
SEEKING INTEREST FOR POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION GRANT
Proposed Project: Sto:lo Up- and Mid-River Geohazard Risk Mapping
Introduction
Indigenous communities within Sto:lo traditional territory have been affected by floods and landslides for millennia. These are becoming more common due to large weather events such as the 2021 atmospheric river and forest fires. In the Fraser Valley it is widely known that floods and landslides—otherwise known as geohazards—can cause damage and disruption to communities and Territories. By mapping geohazard areas, this will provide information and advice to improve emergency planning in the region, now and into the future. To this end, Seabird Island Band (Seabird) and Emergency Planning Secretariat (EPS) are developing a regional application to obtain Provincial funding under the Union of BC Municipalities Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation Program (DRR-CA). We are reaching out to all the communities in the up-river and mid-river area to offer the opportunity to engage in this project work.
Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation Program Regional Application – Is your community interested?
The proposed method will take a Tier 1 high level assessment of geohazard risks in the upriver and midriver areas of the Fraser River followed by more detailed site-specific assessments. The engineers will engage with communities to determine Tier 2 information to be collected that is more site specific to the communities. This information will be kept separate and confidential to that community, as the community directs and as per OCAP principles.
To support the funding application and conduct the work, a single community must be the designated lead applicant to handle the grant funding administration, including supply a BCR for the project. Seabird Island has volunteered, and with Emergency Planning Secretariat, have established a team of engineering and science specialists from BGC Engineering Inc. and Ebbwater Consulting Inc. These firms have deep experience completing geohazard mapping and analysis across BC and experience working with First Nation communities.
How the Project Will Work
Our project team will apply diverse skills and datasets to a large area and will create “screening-level” geohazard maps. These maps may be overlaid with available information about populations, buildings, and potentially other things that communities may value (e.g., environmental, cultural, and infrastructure assets) to assess geohazard risk. See the Thompson Watershed Risk Assessment and t̓ik̓t (flood) Adaptation projects for example outcomes of previous similar assessments.
We will obtain a sense of where different geohazards, as well as a range of small to large events, occur. We will then share these maps and meet with your community to discuss initial findings. After incorporating additional knowledge you may wish to share, the information can support your community to make meaningful decisions by answering key questions such as:
- Question 1: Where are geohazards likely to occur, and what do we know about their likelihood? What are the future impacts on these geohazards due to cumulative impacts (e.g. climate change, land use)?
- Question 2: How are the geohazard areas likely to interact with things that my community values? This could include people and their homes; critical facilities such as schools, as well as roads and bridges that allow access and egress; and natural areas needed to access food and cultural activities.
- The project can incorporate existing community knowledge about geohazards.
- The greater the number of participating communities, the greater the project funding amount, and the more effective the project outcomes!
- This project is separate to, but will complement, the Lower Fraser River Flood Mapping Project, which is being conducted by Northwest Hydraulics Ltd. for the Fraser Basin Council.
- This project is separate to a proposed regional geohazard assessment along the Fraser Canyon being coordinated by First Nations Emergency Services Society.
We Would Like Your Feedback by February 15, 2023
We would like to know if your community is interested in participating in this project. Please email your reply to maggie@emplans.ca. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns at this time.
This short term action, as well as medium term and long term actions, are summarized in the figure on the next page.
Over the medium term by 22 February 2023, we will need a date to confirm your community’s resolution, Band Council resolution, or Local government Council or Board resolution that confirms support for the project. If the project is funded, over the long-term we will request your direct engagement with the project team to discuss flood and geohazard impacts and risks, including community members and Knowledge Keepers. These activities are likely to occur between June 2023 and October 2023 but is still to be determined.
More About the Project Area Geohazards Mapping
Given the large project area, new geohazards mapping will be done at a “screening-level” and can incorporate existing more detailed mapping. The mapping will be based on international best practice and recently developed guidelines, including the 2022 Draft Flood Mapping Guidelines for BC and 2022 landslide guidelines for BC. The floodplain mapping guidelines were authored by Ebbwater with contributions from BGC, and BGC was a primary author of the landslide guidelines. As defined in the floodplain mapping guidelines, the study area-wide project hazard maps will be like “Tier 1: Hazard Identification Mapping”, which is the most cost-effective means to achieve the project goal. If budget permits, more detailed “Tier 2: Base Level Hazard Assessment Mapping” may be completed for specific areas, as a stepping stone to future “Tier 3: Detailed Hazard Assessment Mapping”. Tier 3 mapping can be used for engineering design and site-specific assessments.
The mapping will support prioritization to determine areas where more detailed mapping should be done in the future. Higher resolution maps could then be used to answer questions such as the following:
- What steps can be taken to reduce the chances of an event affecting the things that we value in our community?
- How can the emergency program coordinator use the information to improve their warning and response system?
The DRR-CA is a new iteration of a Provincial program that has been administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM), with funding provided through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF). The DRR-CA funding program is aligning Provincial actions with international best practice, the Provincial Emergency Program Act Modernization, and other shifting policies expressed recently through documents such as the Provincial Flood Strategy Intentions Paper. It aims to support eligible applicants to reduce risks from future disasters through the development and implementation of:
- Accurate foundational knowledge of the natural hazards they face and risks associated with BC’s changing climate.
- Effective strategies to prepare for, mitigate, and adapt to those risks.
NEWS
3092 Sumas Mountain Rd.
Abbotsford, BC, V3G 2J2
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