Vernon Matters file photo of Duteau Creek

By Liam Verster

Duteau Creek Project

Provincial investments to support climate readiness project in Lumby

May 9, 2025 | 2:07 PM

A provincial program to help communities prepare for climate emergencies will see some funds invested locally.

The B.C. Government announced investments of nearly $21 million through the new Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program and almost $20 million from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) to support projects that address natural and climate-driven hazards such as floods, drought, extreme temperatures, earthquakes and landslides.

Of the 61 projects to receive funds, one is situated in the North Okanagan.

The Village of Lumby will receive $400,000 through the investment to do a preliminary design for flood-mitigation work at Duteau Creek.

This project proposes installing a new dike to reduce the risk of flooding and increase resilience in the creek.

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“While springtime brings a sense of joy and renewal for many, it also signals a heightened risk of flooding for communities like the Village of Lumby,” Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Lumby, stated.

“As someone who has long advocated for climate resilience and the protection of our rural and natural environments, I am proud to see this critical investment moving forward. It builds on the $15 million previously secured for fire mitigation and watershed protection in the Duteau Creek watershed, demonstrating our government’s ongoing commitment to proactive, long-term solutions. This is not just about managing seasonal challenges; it’s about protecting homes, ecosystems, and livelihoods today, while securing a safer, stronger future for the people of Lumby and beyond.”

Other area municipalities receiving funding through the investments include:

• Regional District of Central Okanagan: $200,000 for community hall HVAC installations
• Regional District of Central Okanagan: $125,000 for a comprehensive risk and vulnerability assessment
• District of Peachland: $70,000 for a hazard, risk and vulnerability analysis and a climate-change risk assessment

“The frequency of climate-caused events is increasing, and managing and reducing these risks is essential,” Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, stated.

“By supporting communities on these projects, we are helping to better protect these communities and the people who call them home. Our new DRIF program provides reliable, long-term funding so communities can better plan for and address their most pressing disaster-mitigation needs.”