Town of Gibsons receives $6 million dollar grant for Climate Adaptation Through Natural Assets Project
PRESS RELEASE
April 19, 2023 – On Monday, April 17, the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) announced that the Town of Gibsons is one of 45 recipients to receive a $6 million dollar grant from the Strategic Priorities Fund stream of the Canada Community-Building Fund (formerly known as the federal Gas Tax Fund).
This funding will go towards the Climate Adaptation Through Natural Assets Project which was identified by the Town as a solution to reduce flooding risk and improve the natural environment in Lower Gibsons. The project involves both nature-based and built solutions to restore degraded habitat in Charman and Goosebird Creeks. This will significantly reduce the risk of flooding and erosion to residents, businesses, and public areas.
“Investing in nature and improving climate resilience is a top priority for the Town of Gibsons,” says Mayor Silas White. “This funding will allow us to continue our work to leverage our natural assets to better deal with impacts of intense rain events and sea level rise.”
The project will include:
- Replacing insufficient culverts to ensure adequate water flow,
- Restoring the creeks to a more naturalized condition for improved drainage,
- Removing the deteriorating manmade obstructions from creeks and restoring the channels to allow for better flow and easier fish passage,
- Lining the bottom of box culverts with creek cobbles and boulders to mimic the natural creek bed and promote fish migration,
- Removing invasive species and restoring the riparian area with native vegetation,
- Replacing failing retaining walls with natural materials such as boulders and large woody debris to provide habitat for invertebrates and add structure to streams,
- Creating spawning areas (where feasible) where springs or seeps are identified,
- Revegetating banks to provide cover and further enhance the stream habitat.
“This grant will allow us to implement climate adaptation strategies and create a more resilient stormwater system in Lower Gibsons,” says Michelle Lewis, Natural Asset Technician for the Town of Gibsons. “As we face more and more climate-related challenges, effectively managing our natural assets is essential to helping us prepare for the future. We are grateful for this funding, and our team is looking forward to collaborating with rightsholders and stakeholders in the region on this project.”
View the the original announcement on the UBCM website at https://t.ly/vobZr
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For more information:
Michelle Lewis
Natural Asset Technician
Town of Gibsons
604.886.2274
mlewis@gibsons.ca
