Environment and Conservation
August 26, 2015
Supporting Actions to Adapt to Climate Change
Flood Mapping Study Will Help Town Adapt to Climate Change
The Department of Environment and Conservation has completed a climate change flood risk mapping study for the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's.
"Flood risk mapping helps communities prepare for increases in extreme precipitation and is therefore a crucial tool in efforts to adapt to climate change. These studies help us identify areas susceptible to flooding due to climate change, as well as the steps required to reduce flood damage, and measures to enhance public safety."
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
The department received a request from the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's in late 2011 for an update of the flood risk mapping for the town. The previous flood risk mapping study was released in 1996 and was only for Main River and Broad Cove River. The new study includes all rivers (Main River, Beachy Cove Brook, Goat Cove Brook, Broad Cove River and an unnamed river) within the municipal boundary as this will help to regulate development in the municipal area and work as a guide for future municipal planning.
"Portugal Cove-St. Philip's is a growing, vibrant community with many young families increasingly making this their home. The flood risk mapping is an important piece of work to help the town with its planning to accommodate future growth in the area, and most importantly, to ensure the safety and health of all residents."
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works and MHA for Conception Bay East-Bell Island
The climate change flood risk mapping study will assist in regulating new developments in flood-prone areas; help minimize flood damage to properties and the environment; and restrict activities that could degrade water resources. Additional information on this initiative may be found in the backgrounder below.
"Although Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the smallest contributors to greenhouse gasses among the jurisdictions in North America, we are still subject to the global impact of climate change. The province continues to invest in projects that reduce our impact. Like many communities, our council and residents have had growing concerns about the impact of climate change and flood risk on our community. We are very pleased to have received the support of the Department of Environment and Conservation to complete this study as it creates a foundation for future planning and development in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's. We have committed and look forward to implementing its recommendations."
- Moses Tucker, Mayor of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's
Budget 2014 provided a three-year $400,000 annual commitment for the department to undertake one climate change flood risk mapping study each year. This climate change flood risk mapping initiative is important for responsible and informed risk management planning in communities; ensuring public safety and public health; reducing repeat, high-cost expenditures as a result of inadequate structural design or ill-informed planning decisions; adapting to the impacts of climate change; and appropriate emergency response to flood events.
QUICK FACTS
- The Department of Environment and Conservation has completed a climate change flood risk mapping study for the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's.
- An RFP for the study was issued and awarded to AMEC Foster Wheeler.
- The study is available on the Flood Risk Mapping website at www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/waterres/flooding/frm.html
- The department has a mandate to undertake flood risk mapping under Section 33 of the Water Resources Act SNL 2002 cW-4.01 in order to minimize flood damage in flood prone communities.
- This initiative delivers on a commitment in Provincial Government's 2011 Climate Change Action Plan.
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Media contacts:
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Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation and the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency 709-729-3575, 689-8605 jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca |
Mary Anne Dillon
Constituency Assistant to the Honourable David Brazil MHA for Conception Bay East - Bell Island 709-729-0334 maryannedillon@gov.nl.ca |
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Moses Tucker
Mayor, Portugal Cove-St. Philip's 709-895-8000 ext 258 Email: moses.tucker@pcsp.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Climate Change Flood Risk Mapping Study for the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's
Climate change is causing rainfall to increase in the province, which means that even communities with maps done in the 1980s and 1990s are at risk of moving forward with development in flood prone areas that were previously outside the flood zone. Many communities are also expanding, re-zoning and creating or amending town plans. Without updated flood risk maps communities may end up allowing development in areas where there is a risk of flooding, or where there will be a risk of flooding in the future.
The department received a request from the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's in late 2011 for an update of the flood risk mapping for the town. The previous flood risk mapping was released in 1996 and was only for Main River and Broad Cove River. The new climate change flood risk mapping study has included all rivers (Main River, Beachy Cove Brook, Goat Cove Brook, Broad Cove River and an unnamed river) within the municipal boundary as this will help to regulate development in the municipal area and work as a guide for future municipal planning. The climate change flood risk mapping will assist in regulating new developments in flood-prone areas; help minimize flood damage to properties and the environment; and restrict activities that could degrade water resources.
The Department of Environment and Conservation will also be designating these areas as flood risk areas under Section 33 of the Water Resources Act. All development activities within the designated flood risk areas will be subject to the department's flood plain management policy www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/waterres/regulations/policies/flood_plain.html.
The flood risk mapping study delineates the flood risk zones for floods with a return period of 20 years (five per cent chance of occurring in any year) and 100 years (one per cent chance of occurring in any year).
Throughout the study, funded entirely by the Department of Environment and Conservation, officials from the town were consulted and they provided valuable data, information, and guidance.
The world-class approach used to develop these studies in Newfoundland and Labrador incorporates both historical data and climate projections, which indicate that extreme weather events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity with climate change.
The department has a mandate to undertake flood risk mapping under Section 33 of the Water Resources Act SNL 2002 cW-4.01 in order to minimize flood damage in flood prone communities.
2015 08 26 11:20 a.m.