Grand Forks residents unhappy with proposed flood plan: ‘I’m not prepared to move’

It’s been four months since an enormous flood swept through Grand Forks, B.C.

In late June, B.C. Premier John Horgan visited the city, promising that the province was going to take care of the 130 or so homeowners directly impacted by the floods and come up with a plan.

This week, affected residents are learning about the plan, put together by the city and regional district, and some are not happy about it.

Marty Menzies’ home was spared from flood waters, but he’s learned that he may have to move under the first of two proposed options.

“Option one is to buy out everybody so everybody has to leave,” said Menzies. “Option one leaves people like myself that have no damage to the house taking a buyout.”

The other option is to build a dike along the Kettle River and raise the houses that are at risk of flooding. Homes that are in the dike’s path would be bought out.

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​Resident Neil Gillespie just got wind of that option and is not pleased with the suggestion.

“I’m not prepared to move. I didn’t plan on moving. I was there for 30 years and I managed to make it through the flood,” said Gillespie. “And now they’re telling me I may have to move. Where am I going and what are they paying me?”

According to documents sent to affected residents, they will be paid fair market value based on appraisals of their homes before or after the flood, whichever is higher.

Grand Forks mayor Frank Konrad is pleading for calm from angry homeowners. He says nothing is set in stone when it comes to the options and that the city is merely gauging how affected residents feel about the options.

“We could have made the decision as council because we were elected by the residents,” said Konrad. “We could have made the decision on factual, best scenario for the residents. We didn’t do that. We held meetings; we also sent out a survey poll. At this point and time, we’re waiting for the results. Hopefully, they will all be in by September 4, and then we will hopefully make a decision.”

As the residents and council grapple with one of biggest decisions the town has ever had to deal with, the outstanding question is who is going to pay for either the buyouts or the construction of the dike. The mayor says it will be provincial taxpayers picking up the bill as the town cannot afford to pay for a flood prevention project.