The District of Kent issued the following response to a letter to the editor pubished in the July 14 edition of The Observer.
In recent years, we have witnessed numerous natural disasters and emergencies that have taken a devastating toll on communities. From wildfires to floods, these events have highlighted the necessity of comprehensive emergency preparedness measures.
The Emergency Evacuation Route project has been a priority for the District of Kent for more than 20 years. Residents, businesses, and visitors travelling north, past the Golf Road intersection of Highway 9 only have one access/egress route in the event of an emergency. An evacuation route located at the most northern portion of the district would provide emergency egress during an evacuation where existing roads are not accessible.
Onsite Engineering Ltd. (Onsite) analyzed three separate routes, which resulted in Rockwell Drive to Lougheed Highway being the preferred route alignment. This road would have gates on each end to restrict access and prohibit unauthorized motorized use within the park and may only be used for emergency situations. The Rockwell Drive to Lougheed Highway option has been identified as the safest road for the public to use during an emergency evacuation if roads such as Rockwell Drive or Hot Springs Road are cut off.
In addition, the district has received letters of support for this emergency evacuation route from the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, Seabird Island Band, Skawahlook First Nation, and Yale First Nation. We all believe life safety is paramount for our residents and the public when they are camping in our parks. It is worth the sacrifice to put an emergency egress route in the park, should a wildfire occur. This is proactive thinking in protecting the lives of people when they are using public park amenities.
Prevention and preparedness are key to successful outcomes during disaster events, and FireSmart principles play a key role. Rockwell Drive and the right of way is a provincial asset, along with privately owned properties, this restricts the district’s ability to implement and maintain the recommended wildfire prevention principles. As you know, wildfires are not the only potential reason where Rockwell Drive residents and the public may become trapped because the roadway is impassable. Over the years, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) has worked to create improvements with drainage by reinforcing and clearing water runoff channels, removing fallen trees, and protecting the road structure during severe “atmospheric rain” events.
As we prioritize the safety of our community members, I am confident that implementing evacuation routes will both improve our ability to respond to emergencies and foster additional security and preparedness among our residents and the public. Together, let us build a safer, more resilient community that can face any challenge that comes our way.
As a final point to Mr. John Coles’ comment, the District of Kent does not plough snow on a provincial highway to Sasquatch Park. MOTI is responsible for their infrastructure. Emergency planning and making sound decisions to protect the public is essential.
– Mayor Sylvia Pranger, District of Kent