The City of Ottawa needs a better plan to manage riverine and overland flooding says local climate research group Citizen Climate Counsel (C3). On behalf of C3, Stephen Hazell has submitted an open letter outlining four recommendations to help improve the City’s plans:
Declare flood management to be an urgent priority for the City;
Assign staff and resources to complete and publish updated 1-in-100 year and 1-in-350-year flood plain maps, in addition to detailed overland flood maps/risk assessments;
3. Assign staff and resources to prepare a flood management plan based on a new paradigm that reimagines precipitation as a valued natural resource rather than a waste product; and
4. Ensure that land use plans, and siting and approvals of residential developments are consistent with the flood management plan and respect development rules for vulnerable neighbourhoods.
Given the likelihood of worsening floods from extreme weather caused by climate change, C3 urges the City to consider these recommendations and to take action to improve Ottawa’s plan for managing riverine and overland floods.
You can read the open letter here.