Caldwell First Nation’s application for multi-million dollar funding to upgrade the Hillman Marsh Southern Dyke was successful.
On Wednesday morning, it was announced that the federal government is investing $15 million from the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund in this project to protect the endangered land.
This dyke is a barrier designed to prevent water from overflowing onto the land – especially into low-lying areas.
Due to the increasing number of severe weather events, this levee reinforcement is necessary to prevent flooding of over 3,440 hectares of land, including numerous buildings, businesses and infrastructure on First Nations and municipal lands.
Caldwell First Nation completed the application in collaboration with the Essex Region Conservation Authority and the Municipality of Leamington.
Ahmed Hussen, Minister for International Development, says it is important to take action on the issue.
“We will achieve this through a $15 million investment from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Adaptation Fund. Climate change has significantly increased the risk of flooding, which is why such improvements are extremely important.”
Mary Duckworth, Chief of the Caldwell First Nation, says there is a risk to the community if this is not completed.
“We were successful in this application and came together as partners to work on something that in the past has been a risk to all of us in the community.”
Tim Byrne, Chief Administrative Officer at ERCA, says there is a lot of work to be done.
“We will process the request for proposals, which have already been issued, as quickly as possible. We will work with Caldwell and the Town of Leamington to evaluate these proposals. A consultant will be appointed, then a tender will be issued and then a contractor will be appointed.”
If the southern levee is not repaired, the surrounding areas and even as far as Point Pelee would be flooded.
According to the federal government, every dollar invested in adapting to and preparing for climate-related disasters can generate benefits of $13 to $15.
According to Hilda MacDonald, Mayor of Leamington, in 2008 the municipality investigated options for the sustainable preservation of the southern levee areas. This would have cost about $80 million, which would have been borne by the municipality and taxpayers.
