Ministers announce relocation of Stephenville flood victims

Jack Byrne, Municipal Affairs Minister, and Minister Joan Burke, MHA St. George�s�Stephenville East, announced today that government will relocate Stephenville residents whose homes are in what has been designated to be a flood control area.

The ministers have met with the Town of Stephenville numerous times over the past several months, including today, concerning the flood of September 27, 2005.

"I am pleased to announce that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, in conjunction with the Town of Stephenville, has decided that due to public safety reasons victims of the September 27 flood who reside in the flood control area are to be relocated," stated Minister Byrne. "The flood control area designation has been assigned by the Minister of Environment and Conservation on the basis of protecting life, health and public interest."

The total estimated cost of reinstating Blanche Brook, relocating residents and providing interim accommodations is estimated to be $18 million. Of that total it is estimated that $14 million will be spent on personal property claims and relocation. It is expected that another $3 million will be spent to address personal property and damage claims outside the flood control area and to restore municipal infrastructure.

In making today�s announcement, government acknowledged the assistance of the federal government through its well established Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement (DFAA) for cost-sharing repair and restoration costs. Discussions between the provincial and federal governments continue in an effort to secure an agreement to cost-share the relocating of flood victims. Those discussions flow from a commitment Prime Minister Stephen Harper made to Premier Danny Williams in a letter dated January 24, 2006.

"After careful consideration we have determined that relocating residents in the designated flood control area is the best option," stated Minister Burke. On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I thank residents and the Stephenville Town Council for their patience and perseverance during this difficult time. I ask for continued patience and cooperation as we begin the process of rebuilding."

The Newfoundland and Labrador Emergency Measures Organization (NLEMO) will compensate property owners in the flood control area. NLEMO will contract independent appraisers to provide assessments of the replacement value of each of the properties.

"This is welcome news for the people who were displaced by last September�s flood," said Mayor O�Brien. "We are pleased with the level of commitment the province has made and we look forward to moving ahead with this effort as quickly as possible."

The process of relocating and compensating flood victims will commence immediately. Beginning Monday, NLEMO officials will be meeting with residents during a series of evening meetings at a location to be determined. Residents will be informed directly by Emergency Measures staff of their specific time and location.

"We know that people will have a lot of questions and we are setting out to inform them directly," stated Minister Burke. "These meetings will allow our officials to get information to the people who need it quickly and effectively."

NLEMO will continue to provide the rental and utility subsidy for homeowners outside the flood control area who have been displaced because of damage to the town�s infrastructure, such as water and sewer. The subsidy will continue until the homes are ready for occupancy. All eligible damages associated with the flood will be compensated provided they qualify under the established DFAA guidelines.

Media contact: John Tompkins, Communications, (709) 729-1983, 690-2498, jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

• Download map of the flood control zone area (PDF)

2006 03 03                             12:20 p.m.