Construction begins on Ste. Agathe flood protection dike

[CAWED]

_CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON STE. AGATHE FLOOD PROTECTION DIKE_

_STE. AGATHE, Manitoba -- Residents of Ste. Agathe can look forward to
better flood protection as a result of a $4.2 million contribution
from the federal/provincial Red River Valley Flood Proofing and Dike
Enhancement Program for the construction of a community dike._

_Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of State for Western Economic
Diversification; Frank Pitura, Minister of Government Services_ on
behalf of _Glen Cummings, Manitoba Natural Resources Minister_; and
the _Reeve for the Rural Municipality of Richot, Bob Stefaniuk_,
officially turned the sod to mark the start of construction of the
flood protection dike at _Ste. Agathe_.

"This dike will protect the homes and businesses of Ste. Agathe from
future flooding and will allow the residents to continue to rebuild
their community, secure in the knowledge that they are safe," said
_Mr. Duhamel_. "Today’s sod turning is another example of the
federal government’s ongoing efforts to help those who fell
victim to the flood of 1997 and of our commitment to a vibrant rural
Canada."

"This partnership agreement is an integral part of flood protection
for communities in the Red River Valley," said _Cummings_. "We are
pleased the construction of the Ste. Agathe dike is proceeding, and we
look forward to similar agreements with other communities in the
valley."

"It gives us all a good feeling to see construction begin on the Ste.
Agathe dike," noted _Stefaniuk_. "The results of the many meetings and
planning sessions are now turning into reality. This section of the
dike will protect Ste. Agathe from the overland flooding from the
west, the point at which the village is most vulnerable. I look
forward to this significant step in flood proofing the Red River
Valley being followed with other community flood-proofing projects."

Today’s sod-turning ceremony marked the start of the dike
construction west of PTH 75. The eastern portion is scheduled for
construction next year.

In order for the Ste. Agathe project to proceed, 10 homes, three
businesses and three vacant lots were purchased at a cost of $1.5
million to make way for the dike and create a stable groundbank. Once
completed, the dike will protect 134 homes and businesses within the
community.

The Ste. Agathe project is cost-shared by the _Governments of Canada
and Manitoba_ at 45 per cent each and the _Rural Municipality of
Richot_ at 10 per cent. The Ste. Agathe project is part of the $30
million _Canada-Manitoba Flood Protection Program_ for individuals and
communities of the _Red River Valley_.