Innovation September-October 2013

l et ter s

Getting Serious About Floodplain Management

Resources for Tackling Acid Rock Drainage Acid Rock Drainage/Mine Rock Drainage (ARD/MRD) have been noted environmental hazards for many years. As professionals we have grappled with this for a long time. With the advent of environmental regulations, these sources of environmental pollution have been a source of many investigations. As professionals who have dedicated themselves to this challenge, the need for information is always at the forefront. Recently while doing a web search for information, I came across a website for the International Network for Acid Prevention (INAP), an industry group created to help meet the challenge of acid drainage. I recommend to those from all levels of experience to visit this website dedicated to this problem (www.gardguide.com) and use this information to assist you in your work. Websites like these are extremely helpful for those geologists and engineers who care and who are working on tackling Letters to the editor containing your views on topics of interest are encouraged. Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily endorsed by APEGBC. Letters can be e-mailed to mlau@apeg.bc.ca.

The article in the July/August 2013 edition of Innovation by Jakob and Holm (“Germany and Alberta’s Floods”) on the need to revamp floodplain management in BC nicely conveys how much can be lost on floodplains that lack appropriate development restrictions during rare flood events. A second point tied directly to the first is how much could be saved in the long term if comprehensive flood risk studies were undertaken and appropriate flood damage reduction measures that would result from such studies were implemented. The gathering cloud of more severe and erratic storms as global warming intensifies during this century underscores the need for the Province to take all (most) of the recommendations in the subject article to heart and begin to get serious about improving floodplain management in BC. (All of Canada should do likewise.) Having worked in the floodplain development control program for over two decades as a BC government engineer, I am familiar with the political and social pressures that arise in so many cases when government tries to restrict floodplain development in some fashion. In my opinion, however, the former provincial floodplain management program, despite its shortcomings, was one of the

this type of environmental problem. Paul Gann, P.Geo., New Westminster

continued on page 6

13-236.21_Innovation_mag_7.125x4.875.indd 1

9/23/2013 11:25:28 AM

5

S E P T E M B E R /OC TO B E R 2 013

i n n o v a t i o n