Catiline Creek Debris Flow Mitigation project enters construction phase

Pemberton, BC – A project designed to reduce risk to the community of Lillooet Lake Estates has entered the construction phase. Located in Electoral Area C of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), the project includes the construction of a debris flow mitigation structure to reduce the risk to the Lillooet Lake Estates community from future debris flows originating from Catiline Creek.

The project is receiving financial contributions from both the federal and provincial governments. The SLRD is receiving up to $5.697 million from the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), which is a combined investment of $3.107 million from the federal government and $2.589 million from the provincial government. In addition, the SLRD has received a $2 million grant from the Province of B.C.’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation stream, bringing total federal and provincial funding for the project to $7.697 million. With the addition of Lillooet Lake Estates contributing up to $4 million through a loan authorization bylaw adopted by the SLRD Board in 2022, total funding for the project is up to approximately $11.7 million.

The project is to design, construct and establish operation and maintenance of a debris flow mitigation structure for Catiline Creek at Lillooet Lake Estates. The project’s objective is to reduce the risk to the community and residents by increasing capacity of the existing channel to manage future debris flows up to 100,000 cubic metres through the community, under a new forest service road (FSR) bridge and into Lillooet Lake.

The In-SHUCK-ch FSR, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Forests, is a primary access route for the communities of Lillooet Lake Estates and Heather Jean Estates, as well as several First Nations communities, and industrial and recreational users. The SLRD is collaborating with the Ministry of Forests on matters related to the project, including permitting, the ministry’s replacement of the In-SHUCK-ch FSR bridge over Catiline Creek, and coordination of the ministry’s use of surplus excavated materials from the project for FSR improvements near the project site. The SLRD is working with its project partners to minimize impacts on the FSR during construction, with communications about scheduled impacts to be shared by the Ministry of Forests and the SLRD.

The project site lies within the unceded Traditional Territory of the Líl̓wat Nation. The SLRD acknowledges and respects the deep and rich history of Líl̓wat Nation and their ongoing stewardship of their Traditional Territory. The SLRD continues to work closely with Líl̓wat Nation to ensure their Land Use Referral Committee is updated on project progress, and Líl̓wat Nation technicians conduct archaeological and environmental monitoring during construction. The SLRD is grateful for this relationship and the opportunity to collaborate with Líl̓wat Nation on this important project. The SLRD is also working to keep Samahquam, Skatin Nations, Xa’xtsa-Douglas First Nation, the Lillooet Tribal Council and the St’át’imc Chiefs Council informed as the project moves forward.

The contract for the construction phase of the project was awarded to Coastal Mountain Excavations Ltd. (CME), a Whistler-based company with extensive experience and knowledge of the area.

"Breaking ground on this project marks an important milestone for Lillooet Lake Estates and the surrounding region,” said Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country. “By investing in debris flow protection, we’re not only safeguarding homes and infrastructure, we're also protecting families, the environment, and the sense of security that makes a community thrive. As climate change makes extreme weather events more frequent, these kinds of proactive, locally driven projects are exactly what we need to build the safer, more resilient communities we need for the generations to come."

“Climate hazards, such as flooding and landslides, are expected to intensify as our climate continues to change,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “Having been impacted by major debris flows already, residents of Lillooet Lake Estates know how important it is to reduce the risk for the area. That’s why the Province is supporting efforts by the community, regional district and federal government to better protect Lillooet Lake Estates from future flooding events”.

“We are thrilled to see this project move forward, after years of work by the community and the SLRD,” said Jen Ford, SLRD Board Chair. “The SLRD greatly appreciates the ongoing stewardship and involvement of Líl̓wat Nation and looks forward to working in alignment with the values identified in the SLRD’s Indigenous Relations, Truth & Reconciliation: In Practice—A Guide for Working in a Good Way. The SLRD is grateful for the funding support of the Province, the federal government and the community, to be able to undertake this important work. Moving into the construction phase is a significant milestone for this project, and we look forward to working with CME and other project partners to successfully deliver this project,” she said.

The project remains on schedule, with initial construction activities beginning in October 2025 and anticipated completion at the end of 2026. Residents can expect to see increased site presence by CME and project partners as construction progresses.

For more information about this project, including project updates, visit the SLRD website.