VANCOUVER - A provincial report released Tuesday suggests it would cost taxpayers $6.3 billion to secure BC's coastal communities from flooding seawaters by 2100.

"Protection will require an increase in the height of existing flood defences and the construction of new flood defences," according to the report.

"This estimate is important in order to define and communicate the scale of the work ahead, and to then develop a strategy for investment and implementation."

Taking into account a 50% contingency cost, the bill could be as much as $9.5 billion.

The money would be used to acquire land, build flood protection structures and conduct seismic upgrades, among other uses.

"The important action to be taken now is to plan the phases on a regional basis, so that the necessary resources, including land, are available when needed."

The report was released Tuesday by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.