The Lower Nicola Indian Band near Merritt has been given nearly $200,000 from the federal government to complete bank stabilization along the Nicola River.

The $190,000 is also meant to go toward revitalizing green space in specific areas washed out by the November, 2021 atmospheric river event.

“The funding supports planting various types of trees, shrubs, flowers, and grass at several locations on different reserves that were disturbed by the flooding event in Merritt in 2021,” said the federal government in a release. “The revegetation efforts aim to increase biodiversity on the reserves and manage invasive species encroaching in certain areas, specifically blue weed.”

“Additionally, completing bank stabilization will safeguard the ecosystem and support the breeding habitat of the salmon population in the creek, while also mitigating future flood risks,” continued the release.

The funding comes on the heels of the City of Merritt being rejected by Ottawa for $64 million dollars from the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund to upgrade the dikes in Merritt which failed to hold back the Coldwater River during the 2021 event.

That forced the entire city of 7,000 to be evacuated for over a week.