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This slideshow is to give some background to the solutions that we need in future flood mitigation projects and initiatives. The idea is to give some background and direction to policy makers and others who will be working on solutions to the flooding issue in rural Manitoba.
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Water, Water, EverywhereActions needed to mitigate
Future flooding in Manitoba & Saskatchewan
Presentation by Jordan MorningstarCouncillor for RM of Brenda, Ward 1
Three Primary Concerns
Public Safety Economic Environmental
Public Safety
Access to ALL towns, villages, and occupied farm yards MUST be maintained.
If an emergency happens during a flood and EMT services cannot reach the person, they are as good as dead.
One person drowned in this year's flood, how many in the next flood?
Economic
Cost to store water on farmlands is borne completely by the farmer
Farmers paid for the land, they pay tax on the land and interest on the mortgage, no matter how much water is on top of it.
Economic
If people in larger centres want to be protected from flood waters, they should be the ones paying to be protected.
Therefore, the government needs to pay rent on the land that has been used for Flood Mitigation for the larger centres.
Economic
Reducing the losses from flooding is a good thing, BUT:
Forcing farmers and rural residents to shoulder the extra water (and loss) without compensation creates a two-tier society where certain Manitoba residents are “worthy” of flood protection, and certain residents are not.
Environmental
Wetlands are a good thing Creating habitat that supports biodiversity
is a good thing Allowing farmers and rural people to help
the process is a good thing.
Environmental
Using farmland as water storage to protect the urban centres from flooding and passing it off as “wetlands” is a bad thing.
Displacement of land & habitat as shorelines change shape and size
Hundreds of thousands of dead trees along rivers and sloughs.
Aquatic wildlife carried out of lakes & dams by floodwaters into unsuitable habitats.
Solutions
First solution: DON'T BLAME THE FARMERS!
We didn't cause the rain to fall, we shouldn't be punished for it.
Solutions
Second Solution:Do not force rural communities, individuals, and municipalities to shoulder the cost of flood mitigation “for the greater good.”
If people downstream want protection and wetlands, they should pay for protection and wetlands.
Solutions
Third Solution:Accept Local Input
We are the ones living here, we are the ones who know where the water goes and how it acts
