A just-completed federal-provincial program that remapped 91原创 City鈥檚 flood plain along the Nicomekl River will mean a safer future, said New Democrat MLAs Megan Dykeman and Andrew Mercier.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, April 26, the two MLAs said the study will help flood prevention efforts by the City.

鈥淩educing the risk of floods is top of mind all across the province, especially after the extreme weather that hit the Fraser Valley in 2021,鈥� said Megan Dykeman, MLA for 91原创- East.

鈥淭he City of 91原创 is undertaking important work to look ahead [at future flooding risks], and the province and federal government are pleased to support them,鈥� Dykeman added.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: 91原创 drenched by downpour

The City of 91原创 received $120,000 in funding for their Nicomekl River flood project that mapped 91原创 City鈥檚 floodplain for the Nicomekl River, updating the city鈥檚 hydraulic model and completing a comprehensive survey of the watercourse tributaries and cross sections.

鈥淭he Nicomekl River runs right through the City of 91原创, and it鈥檚 incredibly important for people that live along the river to know that their safety and their homes are a priority,鈥� said Andrew Mercier, MLA for 91原创.

鈥淗aving a better understanding of this floodplain will help make sure that flood prevention infrastructure is as sturdy and efficient as possible,鈥� Mercier went on to say.

It was one of 24 projects funded by an $11 million joint B.C.-Canada program part of the National Disaster Mitigation Program, which cost-shares expenses between the federal, provincial and territorial governments.

91原创 City has a floodplain elevation bylaw, which requires all the new developments to be built to withstand a one-in-200-year flood event.

READ ALSO: AT YOUR SERVICE: New floodplain report coming to council this spring

In January of this year, City Council members responding to a 91原创 Advance Times 鈥淎t Your Service鈥� survey advised staff were preparing a report to council to update the current floodplain elevation bylaw, which sets minimum flood construction levels (FCLs) at Nicomekl River, Murray Creek, Logan Creek, and Jeffries Brook, in order to respond to the increased risk of flood damages due to climate change.

It was expected this spring.