Drumheller, Fort McMurray allowed to grow in floodways

Two Alberta communities have been given the go-ahead to build new developments in floodways.

Fort McMurray and Drumheller are both prone to flooding as the communities are located largely inside the floodway.

The municipalities are being grantedspecial consideration from the province despite the massive flood in June that devastated many parts of the province, officials said Monday.

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Both communities must first ensure they have proper flood mitigation in place, the province said.

And homeowners in those areas will not be eligible for relocation compensation in the future.

Minister of Municipal Affairs Doug Griffiths said the two communities face situations which require unique solutions.

"We need to put measures in place to protect the community but it would be fiscally unreasonable to move entire urban areas or not to allow for future development," he said in a release.