Sand berms installed in Boundary Bay on a temporary basis every fall could become permanent.
That was the suggestion put forward by engineering director Steven Lan during Delta council’s recent discussion on flood protection measures in Boundary Bay and Beach Grove.
Temporary flood protection works at select locations have been carried out there since the 1970s, including constructing a berm fronting number of private properties in the 200-block of Centennial Parkway where no seawall exists. This year, the sand berm was also extended north to the 300-block of Centennial Parkway due to flooding in March of this year.
Beach access points are also secured with concrete blocks and/or sandbags.
This year’s work was completed several weeks earlier than previous years in anticipation of a major storm system in mid-October.
The cost of erecting the sand berm and associated works, including disassembly, is $50,000 annually.
“We have looked at the possibility of leaving the sand berms in place,” said Lan. “We have a design for that and we will be approaching those property owners to see if they’d be willing to have that.”
The discussion also shifted to the fact several homes along the water don’t have seawalls and don’t appear to be in any rush to install them.
Lan noted new home construction has a requirement for a seawall to be 4.1 metres in height, but there is no such requirement for older homes.
“The waterfront homes are the first line of defence and they offer a tremendous benefit for the entire community because if flood waters get past those homes, they will inundate the properties behind them,” he said.
Lan added there will be further discussion with the community about the situation.
Coun. Bruce McDonald noted an opportunity existed back in the 1990s for a proper seawall but some homeowners balked.
“The federal government had funds available to build a dike all the way along. I remember former colleague (councillor) Bob Mountfort worked for, I think, three years trying with people in the area because the money was there… We knew it (the money) was going to disappear but they were absolutely adamant that they did not want a dike in front of their house,” said McDonald.
“At some point, someone is going to look at it and say, ‘How much do you spend each year to protect a relatively low number of houses?’ It’s a pretty big bill for a half a dozen residences,” he added.
Meanwhile, council last month agreed to submit an application to the province for tenure over the water lot area fronting 50 Centennial Parkway up to and including 1A Avenue. If granted, it would give Delta the ability to deal individually with property owners who have a seawall and are willing to pay for rip rap fronting their structures for additional protection. Two property owners have already indicated they would like to install rip rap.
