Public Safety Risk Assessment can get underway thanks to commitment from Emergency Management BC (EMBC) -- Selection and Project team will be struck next week.
Pemberton, BC - The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), Village of Pemberton (VoP) and Líl'wat Nation are pleased to confirm that Emergency Management BC (EMBC) will fund a Public Safety Risk Assessment regarding the potential rock fall hazard on Mount Currie.
A multi-agency selection and project team, with representatives from the SLRD, VoP, Lil'wat Nation, EMBC and the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations (MFLNRO) will be struck next week.
The funding commitment follows a briefing last week about the content of an October 24, 2016 MFLNRO Information Note, "2016 Mount Currie Rock Fall and Local Instabilities," prepared by engineering staff from MFLNRO Coast Engineering Group. The Information Note identified concerns regarding potential instability along the Mount Currie Ridge and the subsequent potential impacts to Pemberton Valley residents.
The report recommended that a more detailed geo-technical analysis be completed to quantify the hazard, evaluate the risk and recommend potential risk reduction options.
Upon learning of the updated hazard potential, elected officials from the SLRD, VoP and Lil'wat Nation moved quickly to request funding from the Province to conduct the study.
"Clearly, this issue is of utmost importance to all of the residents of the Pemberton Valley," says Village of Pemberton Mayor, Mike Richman. "I know I speak on behalf of all of us in saying we're grateful for the co-operative and timely approach from the provincial government, and we look forward to having a more detailed report on the hazard situation."
Some field work will need to be conducted throughout the summer months, so the final report is not anticipated to be completed until the fall of 2017 at the earliest. Once complete, the study will be shared publically, and presentations will be scheduled with stakeholders and Valley residents. In the meantime, MFLNFRO will continue to monitor Mount Currie.
Residents can direct their questions to Ryan Wainwright, SLRD Emergency Program Manager, at rwainwright@slrd.bc.ca or by telephone at (604) 698-6442.