Flood policy updated for landowners
The County has created an official flood response plan to properly address landowners and business people concerned about drainage.
Under the plan, priority-flooding concerns will be dealt with first and must go through a formal review, which takes into account public safety, County infrastructure, private property damage and more.
“It is the County’s responsibility to respond to flood concerns, and our first priority in a flood event is to ensure the health and safety of our citizens,” said Reeve Rolly Ashdown. “County residents can take steps to reduce the risk of flooding, such as clearing debris from gutters and downspouts, and ensuring the ground slopes away from any building foundations.”
Crossfield area Councillor Greg Boehlke said it’s good to have this framework in place.
“The flood policy just backs up the basic flood plans for some of these areas,” he said. “Policies are a living document. As things change, the policies can change. Having it set out in policy and how we work is a benefit.”
The response times have been “good” in the past and resources are divvied up appropriately when flooding arises, according to Bearspaw area Councillor Al Sacuta.
“It’s tough to get stuff moved around when bad stuff happens, which seems to happen instantaneously,” he said. “You’re typically trying to allocate people and resources all over Rocky View when it’s flooding at the same time.”
He said most people know when they are about to have a flooding issue and can take pre-emptive measures.
According to the new policy, an imminent threat to public health and safety or County infrastructure will be responded to within 48 hours.
A claim of damage to property will be looked at within seven days.
Loss of business and loss of property will receive a 14- and 21-day response, respectively.
To see the plan, visit www.rockyview.ca
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