I was raised on the Osoyoos Indian Band land in Oliver; I have been here all but maybe 7 yrs of my life. I read a comment by Graham that all the people opposed to this park are pro-hunting and while I will admit that yes my family and I do hunt it is not for sport it is for food. I have family that are cattle ranchers and I have kids who love the outdoors. I really don’t see how more government regulations and charges are going to help preserve our land, I think we need to show our children how to love our land and respect our land. We need to teach our children the importance of doing the right thing and I really don’t believe a national park is the way to go about it!

~~Darlene George

I’m not sold on either side of this issue, but I’m amazed by how well some folks can deny some of the facts surrounding the park. Furthermore, the immaturity of some of the comments is sad to read. This is a serious issue for our area, and we need to openly discuss the facts surrounding it.

-56 species are unique to the grasslands area, and are at risk. We are currently spending plenty of money rehabilitating the burrowing owl, so why not act ahead of time and stop these other creatures from going extinct.

-The economic development a park could bring would be incredibly beneficial to all in the South Okanagan. This would be a great boost to the wine industry, the restaurants, realtors, B and B’s, and other small businesses. For some reason we like people seeing our vineyards, but don’t want them here for our natural beauty? Gordon commented on the garbage, but this is simply not true. Where does this disrespectful view of city folks come from? We need to all ensure we keep this area clean for future generations.

Let’s all work together to find a creative solution to the natural beauty of our area

~~Bruce Morton

I moved to Oliver 9 years ago. Since then I have seen vineyards creeping up the hills, look at the one above Hester Creek that went in last year, half way up the mountain! Look at the vineyards on the other side in the Simalkameen Valley.

Lately I see the Golden Mile trail closed at the Fairview Road end. These are just a few of the observations of how our habitat is slowly being destroyed.

I have been in Waterton, Banff, Jasper and many other National Parks and love those areas. I am in favour of our area becoming a National Park.

YES! WE WANT A NATIONAL PARK to preserve what we still have!

~~Ed Dukes

No National Park

Let ranchers operate like they have for the past 150 years in the Similkameen. Continue access so Smilkameen residences can enjoy the hills next to us.

If you want to ‘save’ something look at the city or town you live in and tear up asphalt, lawns and cement and grow a garden.

~~Charlie Nash

It is obvious that the comment about the “No” signs coming from one source is not accurate–the majority of signs appear to be “homemade”.  What is not coming across is that a large part of the area in question–if not most-is already protected.  The rest is mainly held by ranchers under a grazing license.  Ranchers must adhere to a strict Management Plan administered by the Ministry of Forests.  At present and in previous decades, the ranchers have done an excellent job of administering these lands, both for their benefit and that of the public.  I think that Parks Canada has embarked on this trail at the request of Senator Fitzpatrick and the couple who were successful in establishing a park in eastern Canada–it is not a “grassroots” endeavour.

~~Ed Schmalz

“The world is run by those who show up!” Those who may not even live in the South Okanagan/Similkameen area are asking that letters and e-mails of support be sent to the federal Minister of Environment. How many of us who are opposed to the creation of this park have sent letters or e-mails letting him know how we feel? If politicians only hear from one side of a debate they will always side with those who they hear from. Do you know where the elected officials for this region stand on this issue? I would encourage everyone to let all levels of government, including, municipal, regional district, provincial and federal  know that the majority of people who live in the South Okanagan Similkameen are opposed to the creation of this park. Ask our local politicians where they stand on this issue and are they willing to take your message to the federal government? If we simply feel that that the government will do the right thing, we are sadly mistaken. Make sure that your voice is heard at the local, regional, provincial and federal level or accept decisions based on those who speak up and show up!

~~Robert Mattes

Two scientific polls in the south Okanagan have shown that two-thirds of the local populace are in favour of a new national park here; while only one-quarter oppose it. A national park would be a huge benefit to the local economy and do little to limit the recreational opportunities of hunters and ATV enthusiasts. The proposed national park boundaries are much smaller than most people realize, including only the Crown lands around Richter Pass (most of which are already in a provincial Protected Area) and the Vaseux Bighorn National Wildlife Area. Lands west of the Similkameen (now in the provincial Snowy Protected Area) would not be in the new park.

~~Dick Cannings

Let me throw another slant into this National Park Debate. As with most if not all National Parks there will be limited access. This will mean that along with the natural flora so will the wildlife flourish. We, at the valley bottoms, have a problem with the deer population now. This problem will increase! Along with the deer will come the predators – more coyotes, wolves, cougars, bobcats, lynx, bears, and even probably grizzlies? As the population of these predators increase, they will expand their boundaries into the valley floor where they will prey on your pet cats, dogs, other domesticated animals, and, god forbid, even your children! This may not come immediately, but it will come! In the past year I have talked to people who have been running along the Hike and Bike Path and they have spotted a deer carcass and a deer being chased by a cougar! I have seen a black bear scurrying across Fairview Mountain Golf Course after a feed of fruit in the orchards. Think about it! Jasper has a major problem with deer and elk. To me it doesn’t make sense to put a National Park in a middle of a populated area! Conservation Officers are at a premium now and cannot cover the areas assigned to them effectively. As stated in previous comments, this area is watched by different organizations. We who live here should be the only ones who have a say re the National Park. My vote – No National Park!

~~John Surovy

We need a national park here in place of the existing provincial Protected Areas for several compelling reasons.  The province has not devoted the staff and resources to manage either the fragile ecosystems in these areas, or properly interpret and promote this unique region for the education and enjoyment the public.

 The present protected areas are too small and disconnected to maintain ecological integrity over the long haul.  A national park would expand the current protected areas by purchase -from willing sellers- of key connecting lands, which otherwise will inevitably be subdivided and developed  as population demands and land values rise.

 The current protected areas within the proposed park area were created by the stroke of a minister’s pen.  They can be as easily extinguished.  There is unrelenting pressure, even now, to sell crown lands and bit by bit, parcel by parcel, this process erodes what remains of our natural heritage.  It’s time to genuinely protect and set aside, one of the most unique and beautiful natural treasures for us and all Canadians.

~~Dennis St. John

It is gratifying to know that most folks who have taken the time to comment on this issue are deeply concerned about the health of our local environment. It would seem that the treatment plan is where we differ. I would like to draw an analogy between the health of an individual and the health of our environment. Let’s say that an individual has just been told they have a life threatening illness and must now make some decisions about their treatment. The doctor would most likely outline a plan of treatment that would enhance the individual’s chance of survival and recovery. After discussing the treatment plan with the doctor, the individual might seek the support of their family and friends, perhaps seek a second medical opinion, join a support group and so on but in the end they would be wise to follow the advice and treatment options made available to them by the medical profession. In the case of the local environment, we have in fact been told we have a life threatening illness. As stated by Kai M. A. Chan (Canada Research Chair UBC) our area is “ faced with multiple threats to its ecological integrity including habitat loss to development and intensive agriculture, disruption of the natural vegetation disturbance regime, the introduction of alien invasive species and climate change; is a high priority area for conservation action because of significant threats to the sustainability of biodiversity and because of the relatively large number of identified species and habitats-at-risk, a number of which are of global significance; hosts fifty-six federally-listed species -at-risk,…. includes two of the four most endangered ecosystems in Canada – the dry bunchgrass grasslands and open ponderosa pine forests …” We may not like the diagnosis but the health of our environment is in grave danger. We would be wise to follow the advice and suggested treatment plan of experts who have devoted their lives to the study and health of the environment. The establishment of a National Park may not solve all of our environmental health issues but would greatly assist with its survival and hoped for recovery.

~~Heather Frank

While I was not able to find a link to post a vote, I would like to be included in poll. I am generally in support of a National Park to protect ecologicically sensitive areas and wildlife in the South Okanagan. That said, I hope that Parks Canada will continue to develop cooperative management models, and work to ensure management flexibility and accessibility for local park users, and allow/promote activities that are compatible with historical use and long term park and wildlife population health and sustainability.

~~Sarah Martin