TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: April 8, 2024 Report No. DEV-24-021
TO: Council
FROM: Karen Hay, Policy Planner and Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT: Gorge Waterway Coastal Flood Adaptation grant opportunity
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council resolves that the Township of Esquimalt supports a regional application to the Union of BC Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund - Disaster Risk Reduction - Climate Adaptation Grant and supports the City of Victoria as the project lead (primary applicant) for the Gorge Waterway Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy, which includes approval to apply for, receive, and manage the grant funding on the Township of Esquimalt's behalf.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Township of Esquimalt has been invited by the City of Victoria to join the District of Saanich, and Town of View Royal in applying for a Union of BC Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund - Disaster Risk Reduction - Climate Adaptation Grant to study the potential impacts of sea level rise on the Gorge Waterway and Portage Inlet, its coastal environment, surrounding lands, and infrastructure. If successful, the Capital Regional District would provide in-kind support.
Indigenous communities will be contacted to determine their desired level of participation in the project; they include the Songhees, Esquimalt, Tsartlip, Tseycum, Tsawout and Pauquachin First Nations. A letter will be sent to the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and the W_S?NEC Leadership Council to inform the Nations of the project and gauge their interest.
As a partnership the grant request would be for $350,000 in funding. As a partner (sub-applicant) it is estimated Esquimalt staff would dedicate approximately 300 hours as in-kind support, over the two years of the project.
BACKGROUND:
The Union of British Columbia Municipalities' Community Emergency Preparedness Fund under the Disaster Risk Reduction - Climate Adapta...
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