The Fraser River flood control programme : how decisions get made

• Main Author: Cousineau, John Glen
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Flood control > British Columbia > Fraser River; Floods > British Columbia > Fraser River
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/20166

There exists a federal-provincial programme for providing flood protection in the Lower Eraser Valley. An examination is made of the procedures for deciding upon applications for individual projects included in the Programme and an identification of when, the way, and the extent to which associated interests become involved in project decisions is made. The methodology involves three steps. The first step is to define the procedures followed by the administering agencies of the Programme and identify the stages during which affected interests become involved. The second step is to'identify the things which happen as these procedures are followed. Interviews with key officials in the provision system provide the information presented. The third step is to note particular case study examples in which certain patterns o'faagency interaction occurred. The only significant involvement of affected interests is after a commitmenttto provide flood protection has been made. Advocate interests (outside the lead agencies) do not play a prominent role in the decisions which are made. The accommodation of conditionally supportive interests has generally not been difficult. The accommodation of competitive interests is more difficult. When the losses to be imposed upon affected interests in general, and competitive interests in particular, are high, extensive negotiations take place in search of an equitable compromise solution. The adjustments made to accommodate affected interests are often made at a substantial additional cost to the Programme. That these additional costs may exceed the original assessment of benefits suggests affected interests should become involved at an earlier stage when commitments to provide protection are made on the basis of the associated benefits and costs. === Arts, Faculty of === Political Science, Department of === Graduate