The Strathcona Regional District has received emergency funding from the B.C. government to conduct a hazard evaluation of the Newcastle Creek landslide near Sayward.
The SRD and the Village of Sayward said the funding, approved by the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, will support an assessment of the landslide area, which is entirely on Crown land.
The evaluation will examine slope conditions using LiDAR data from drones and include a review of historical watershed information such as geotechnical and hydrological records. The work is expected to be completed by early May.
Sayward Mayor Mark Baker, who also chairs the SRD board, said the community welcomes the funding but is concerned the province will not fund mitigation work on Crown land.
The landslide occurred in October and led to increased turbidity in Newcastle Creek, affecting the village’s water system.
