Federal NDP Environment Critic Awed By Icejam

By 250 News

Eco Technologies’ Amphibex at work on Nechako Icejam (photo courtesy of the City)

Prince George, B.C. -  Federal NDP Environment Critic, Nathan Cullen, has been given a first-hand look at the expansive icejam on the Nechako River, the amphibious excavator being used to chip away at the ice, the warm water pipeline set to come on-line tomorrow and the rest of the City’s efforts to shore up against possible flooding.

“It’s incredible really, I mean, the icejam itself is obviously very impressive and just so dangerous.  And the work that the community has responded with – the city’s mitigation measures – have been equally impressive," says the Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP.  " This is a very, very big problem and it’s being well met at this point.”

As for the Amphibex, itself, Cullen says it’s something to see in action. “What an impressive and almost crazy device that thing is – it’s a job I would never want to have be ‘cause it’s a pretty brave person that’s going to step into that machine and get into a frozen river, but it’s very impressive what’s it’s been able to accomplish."

He says,  "I don’t know yet, but it might be of some value to look at getting one for this region, and not have to bring it across the country."

B.C.’s first-ever flood forum wrapped up in Vancouver last week with organizers saying collaboration between all levels of government is the key to meeting the challenges posed by future flooding. (click here, for previous story)

Cullen agrees with that call.  “This is a conversation the federal government needs to get engaged in in a serious way because, while the responsibility often falls to the province and the local community, this is of national scale."

He says,  "The threats have changed, I think the way that our rivers and our forests are working now, under this climate change reality – it’s truly important that the federal government show up as well and bring money to the table, bring their expertise and help alleviate some of the stress by getting involved.”

"There are some major questions we are going to have to face – where people choose to live, where we put up dikes and berms and the rest – these are big and very difficult questions for our communities.  And it’s happening here in Prince George in a major way, but this conversation is going on all over the province and in many parts of our country.  Boy, this is serious stuff.”

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