So, let me get this straight, from the horse’s mouth so to speak, that is from Minister of Environment Mary Polak: “ We are coming from the standpoint of existing uses continue. That’s our starting point.”
Now, don’t get me wrong: I’m delighted that after years of stonewalling, the provincial government is agreeing to re-open talks with Parks Canada and First Nations about a South Okanagan Similkameen National Park Reserve. I thank the minister for this, but what exactly do they propose to negotiate given the above statement since some of the current uses are not allowed in national parks?
There are other problems. The two tiny patches of land (so-called Areas 1 and 3) as potential national park reserves separately are neither ecologically nor much use for recreation. The equally small Area 2, proposed as a provincial conservancy, would add nothing to ecological viability since conservancies have the lowest level of provincial protection. No money has been offered to buy up available private lands, nor other resources for such a conservancy.
Essentially what the province has on offer is simply business as usual. Another pre-election promise of the Liberal governmentis to increase B.C. Parks’ spending and staff. Excellent, but the proof is in the pudding and the increases go only a short wayto redressing the destruction of that agency in the past 14 years. A new ‘protected area’ would only dilute that further.
To truly protect the remaining unique habitats and wildlife species living here and for the long-term health of our economies, Areas 1, 2, and 3 should be negotiated as a single national park reserve with connecting corridors, purchased where necessary by Parks Canada from willing sellers, to create an ecologically and recreationally viable park.
Parks Canada wants this park and as opposed to the province, has the funds and staff to do it properly. The great majority of residents in the South Okanagan want it. Businesses and the tourist organizations see its advantages for their bottom line. First Nations in the area have spoken up for its creation. I hope that the province opens negotiations very soon and with a more open agenda than the minister’s comments imply. They would save a lot of money, (re)gain some local credibility, and be lauded for their foresight in enabling a South Okanagan Similkameen National Park Reserve. For a politician in an election year, what’s not to like about that?
Eva Durance
Kaleden
