The eroding shoreline at Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park will have a better chance of remaining for future generations, with a wave of new cash from the provincial government.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Emergency and Climate Readiness announced a total of $56 million for 78 projects across B.C. aimed at reducing disaster risk and improving resilience against climate change.
Climate change is no longer a future concern – it’s happening now and we’re seeing its impact all over B.C., said Bowinn Ma, minister of emergency management and climate readiness, and North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA.
“Through disaster-mitigation funding, our government is committed to helping communities become more resilient by empowering local governments to adapt to the changing climate and better protect themselves and their residents against future climate challenges,” Ma said in a statement.
A significant chunk of provincial total, $4.8 million, is slated to restore the shoreline at Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park in the District of North Vancouver.
That will build on restoration work initiated last year by the district in collaboration with səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Wautuh Nation). The park is the ancestral village site of the First Nation.
Shoreline areas of Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park have faced significant degradation in recent years, limiting access to the beach in certain areas.
Improvements in the area will focus on beach nourishment, said Ryan Schaap, DNV spokesperson.
"The addition of sand, gravel, and cobbles along the shoreline which will help with slope stabilization, decrease erosion, and protect some of the park’s culturally sensitive areas," he said. "This project will also bring drainage improvements to parking lots and boat launch, improved beach access and new picnic shelter locations."
"Interpretive panels will be installed outlining the rich history of səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Wautuh Nation) in the area," Schaap added.
Other significant funding in the region includes a total of $6.17 million for the water security project and Lower Crown reservoir early works in shíshálh Nation (Sechelt). That work is being done in partnership with the municipalities of Gibsons, Sechelt and Sunshine Coast Regional District.
Lillooet Regional District in Squamish is getting $149,500 to monitor Mt. Meager for volcanic activity, and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) $150,000 for Cheakamus River hazard and flood-risk mapping.
Bowen Island will receive $111,200 for watershed and hydraulic capacity analysis for community culverts.
