Water Stewardship Information Sources

Citation Herbert, Y, Picketts, I and Lyle, T. 2015. Floodplain Mapping Funding Guidebook for BC Local Governments. BC Real Estate Association.
Organization BC Real Estate Association
URL http://bcrea.bc.ca/docs/government-relations/floodplainmapguidebook.pdf
Abstract/Description or Keywords In carrying out their flood management responsibilities, communities in BC struggle to find funding sources for
floodplain mapping projects. Floodplain maps provide visual information on where floodwaters are expected to
go; therefore, they are the most logical first step in flood management and must be updated periodically.
Like other critical tasks undertaken by communities, floodplain maps can be costly to produce; unlike physical
infrastructure projects, there are no dedicated funding mechanisms in Canada for this work. Of countries that
belong to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Canada is in the minority in not
having a national program that undertakes or funds floodplain mapping.
With few funding options available, BC communities must take creative approaches, often employing multiple
strategies. Discussions with municipalities, regional districts, industry groups, practitioners and researchers have
resulted in a list of funding strategies that may be suitable for acquiring funding for floodplain mapping activities:
• Common funding options
o General revenue
o Grant programs
• Creative funding options
o Development approval information areas
o Development cost charges
o Partnerships and collaborations
o Civic crowd sourcing
• Innovative options
o Floodplain authorities
o Flood protection service or utility
o Taxation
o Insurance
While the strategies presented in this guidebook are not exhaustive, they can form a starting point for
communities to undertake floodplain mapping.
Information Type report
Regional Watershed Province
Sub-watershed if known
Aquifer #
Comments
Project status complete
Contact Name
Contact Email