The MD of Bonnyville has learned that the Province has rejected their application for the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program regarding water levels on various lakes around the district.
Residents living on the shores of Moose, Crane, Marie, Charlotte, Barreyre and Pinsky lakes were affected by an extremely wet spring and early summer, often suffering from flooding and washouts. The MD itself also had to deal with damage to several bridges.
In a September 20th letter, Managing Director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency Shane Schreiber wrote that the M.D. did not meet the eligibility requirements for the program.
“The damage appears to have been caused by above-average but not extraordinary levels of precipitation and cannot be connected to a specific extraordinary disaster event.”
MD Reeve Ed Rondeau is less than pleased with the response and process in general. Individuals cannot apply to the program. Instead, the municipality must apply, and, if approved, process the applications of affected residents.
“We are extremely disappointed the province didn’t grant us Disaster Assistance,” says Rondeau. “It would have been nice if the people could have applied for disaster assistance themselves. If residents have experienced damage or have concerns, I suggest they send them to AEMA.”
Rondeau also says Council will continue to work on a solution for Moose Lake and other areas.
“We’re still pushing the province to do something with the weir on Moose River and have some kind of control put in place that will protect the water levels in Moose Lake.”