There is considerably more public support for the proposed national park in the Okanagan Similkameen than indicated in your article of Jan. 13. Indeed, those locals favouring the park outnumber those opposed by more than two to one. This was shown both on petitions to government and by an independent poll.
Two petitions about the proposed park were done several years ago. The No petition was done first and given to Mr. Barisoff. The Yes petition was done second and tabled in Parliament of Canada. There were some 20,000 names on the Yes petition but only 6,000 on the No petition. A scientific poll by McAllister Opinion Research conducted in May 2010 showed that 63 per cent of local residents favoured such a national park and 26 per cent opposed it (11 per cent were undecided).
It is important to most residents in this area that the biodiversity here in the South Okanagan and Similkameen valleys be protected and preserved for future generations through national park status. We have a higher proportion of rare and endangered plants and animals here than any other location in Canada, and these can best be protected by protecting the lands and habitats which they depend on. In the time since the park study began, many land parcels which would have been suitable for such a park have already been sold and committed to other uses.
Parks Canada staff have always maintained that the proposed park would include only lands purchased from willing sellers (i.e. no expropriation) and only those lands which meet the criteria established for this park. This would apply to any lands to be included in the park which are presently owned or controlled by British Columbia.
Jim Bryan
Penticton
