The province will invest $22 million in equipment and
technology to improve flood-fighting capacity and preparedness as
Manitoba faces the potential for widespread spring flooding,
Premier Greg Selinger announced today.

"We are combining our collective knowledge and considerable
experience with technology and equipment in an effort to prepare
for and manage the floodwaters that nature sends our way," said
Selinger.  "Our province has experienced its fair share of
flooding in the past and Manitobans know all too well the
challenges that these events present to families and
communities.  From these experiences, we have also had the
opportunity to test and enhance our emergency plans and
procedures."

About $21 million of the $22 million will go towards acquiring
resources and equipment as required to further support the level
of provincial flood fighting and preparedness including:

*     two additional mobile sandbag machines and related equipment
for a total of five machines for deployment where needed;

*     additional portable diking systems including;

*     43 kilometres of box-like frames that are filled with gravel
or sand to be used in areas where heavy current and debris might
be issues; and 

*     an additional 28 kms of water-filled portable flood
barriers, bringing the total provincial stock to 83 kms, of which
30 kms will be in rapid deployment trailers;

*     500,000 sandbags for a total of 2.2 million and 10,000 super
sandbags for a total of 20,000;

*     20 new steamers and trailers for de-icing drains and ditches
for a total of 57;

*     two additional ice-cutter vehicles for a total of seven for
use with Amphibex machines;

*     three additional amphibious vehicles for a total of six to
support Amphibex operations;

*     more portable temporary bridges for use in restoring access if
crossings are damaged;

*     reinforcement of earthen dikes at various locations along the
Assiniboine River between Baie St. Paul and Portage la Prairie;

*     computer software upgrades to collect and analyze water levels
and flows; and

*     expansion of the provincial emergency co-ordination centre.

   
The premier noted the province has already added a third
Amphibex AE 400 icebreaking machine to its ice-jam prevention
fleet.

In the 14 years since the 1997 flood, the province has invested
over $1 billion in flood-protection infrastructure, most notably
in the floodway expansion and the enhancement of community
ring-dike systems.  During that time, the province has also
acquired a significant arsenal of flood-fighting equipment, the
premier said.

In addition to the $21 million for flood equipment and
technology, the premier also announced that up to $1 million will
be made available for rural municipalities to start typical flood
preparation works such as cleaning ditches, steaming culverts or
constructing temporary dikes.  The funding will assist
municipalities in flood-prone areas outside of Winnipeg, with the
assurance that financial support is available.

The province will be issuing additional flood outlooks in
February and March with more precise forecasts closer to the
spring melt.

The premier noted the province is supporting the development of
a sump-pump and in-line sewer backup-valve incentive program by
the City of Winnipeg, to help residents reduce the risk of
basement flooding in preparation for spring flooding.  The
province will make equivalent funding available to municipalities
outside of Winnipeg that create similar programs.

"Over the next few months, the province will continue to work
with municipalities to plan and prepare for the potential of
significant spring flooding," said the premier.  "We will
continue to provide updates so Manitobans can be aware and ready
for any possible impacts in their communities."