Kashechewan prepares for another flood evacuation, worries about dike

As the cost for last year's evacuation of Kashechewan hits $21 million, band officials are again planning to move people out of the community because of concerns aboutspring flooding.

The low-lyingcommunity on the James Bay Coast in Ontario's far north is located next to the powerful Albany River. Last year, almostall of the 2000people who live in Kashechewanwere flown out to other Ontario communities because of the flood risk.

Water and sewer backup damaged 34 homes in the community last spring, and about 400 people from Kashechewan are still living in Kapuskasing while their homes are being repaired.

• Kashechewan evacuation costs continue to mount

In past years,Kashechewan and the nearby communities of Fort Albany and Attawapiskathaveonly flown residents out if there is an imminent flood threat.

But Kashechewan Chief Derek Stephen saidhe's alreadystarting the processto move vulnerable people out as early as April 27becausethe First Nation has not been able to agree with the federal government on a plan to repair the dike that protects the community.

The band commissioned areport from the engineering firm Hatch on the state of the dike, which was installed in the1990s. It found the dike has deterioratedand there is"an intolerable risk"of spring flooding.

• Kashechewan spring flood risk 'intolerable,' report says

"We have been trying to come to a conclusion on how to move forward on it, but with the way their policies are we have to keep changing our submission. It doesn't sit well with us," Stephensaid.

Aboriginal Affairs proposal

In a statement, the office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs said it has offered $1.1 million to Kashechewan to assist with repairs to the dike.

"Our Government has put in place a dedicated working group which has been meeting regularly with the First Nation to address both the immediate and longterm solutions to this particular issue," the statement said.

"Further, we have made a proposal to the First Nation including funding to ensure the proper operation of flood related infrastructure such as the dike gates in advance of the upcoming flood season, and we re-affirm our continuing commitment to provide up to $1.1 millionin funding for the repairs."

According to Aboriginal Affairs,the cost of last spring'sevacuation of Kashechewan stands at $21 million dollarsand continues to climb.

Talksalso continue with the federal government on the idea of moving Kashechewan to nearby higher ground, Stephen said. He estimates that relocationcould cost roughly $750 million.