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South Okanagan Photos

No National Park movement grows in Similkameen

Yes that’s two helicopters, a herd of cattle and a lot of people pointing at a NO sign. Article to follow. Thanks to Steve Arstad for the picture.

~~ The following does not reflect the views of the Publisher but is good fodder for debate.

LOCAL AREA STAKEHOLDERS RE-AFFIRM LACK OF SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL PARK RESERVE

After more than eight years and after spending millions of taxpayer’s dollars, Parks Canada has taken what was to be a three year objective feasibility study and lengthened it into an open ended abortive process that has polarized communities, deliberately misled stakeholders and floundered about attempting to wordsmith support for a National Park Reserve.
• Why do we not recognize and take pride in our consensus based Provincial initiatives that already preserve and protect the values in this proposed National Park Reserve area?
• Why was the Grassland Park Review Coalition able to assemble a package of letters opposing a National Park from local Fire Depts, Canadian Helicopters, BC Wildlife Federation and affiliates, BC Cattlemen’s Association, individual grazing tenure holders, private property owners and other local groups in February 2011?
• Why did Parks Canada refuse to meet in February 2011 with the Grassland Park Review Coalition members and MP Alex Atamenenko as requested by our MP?
• Why has Parks Canada not released the socio-economic study which examined the impacts of a park that was promised by March 2008?
• Why did Parks Canada’s own wildfire expert publicly state that the risk of catastrophic wildfire will be increased with the establishment of a park?
• Why were the three catastrophic wildfires in 2003, the Anarchist, Vaseux and Okanagan Mountain fires, all started in non-cattle grazed areas?
• What will be the negative economic impact of the loss or restriction of traditional recreation? What negative impact will result from the potential loss of Canadian Helicopter’s flight training school? What will be the negative economic impact of the loss of several ranching enterprises? What will be the negative economic impact of increased deer and bear damage to vineyards, orchards, and forage crops as a result of the elimination of hunting? What will be lost with the loss of forestry and mining activities?
• Why has the Agriculture Land Commission written Parks Canada requesting the thousands of hectares of ALR lands be excluded from their proposed park area and further expressed concern about the negative impact on ranch core lands with the inevitable loss of grazing?
• Why are ranchers being misled with promises while the Park Act continues to be worded to exclude them?  Why does Parks Canada refuse to meet with the ranchers as a group of concerned range users?
• Why did voters on Bowen Island, where you would assume support for a Park was assured, reject a National Park proposal on Nov. 19, 2011?

Submitted by:
Grassland Park Review Coalition, South Okanagan Sportsmen’s Association, Whitelake Stock Association, Canadian Helicopters, Southern Interior Stockmen’s Association, private individuals, and the BC Wildlife Federation Okanagan Region.