Surrounding First Nations clear local waterways – Merritt Herald

Jun 8, 2022

Specially trained teams, made up of experts and skilled workers from nearby communities and First Nations, have been hard at work removing significant amounts of debris varying in size and precarity from local waterways.

During the six months that have passed since November’s atmospheric river induced flooding, over 300 sites containing both natural and human-made debris have been identified by provincial ministries and other federal and provincial government agencies, as well as local First Nations and businesses.

The cleanup efforts have resulted in an increase in employment, and opportunities for learning.

“With many First Nations affected by the atmospheric river event, collaboration with local Indigenous community members has been vital to the restoration process,” said Chief Arnie Lampreau of the Shackan Indian Band, a community of just over 100 people, situated along the devastated Highway 8 corridor.