Honourable Terry Lake
Minister of the Environment
Box 9063
Victoria BC  V8W 9E2

Dear Mr. Lake:

The South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce, as the voice of business for Osoyoos, Oliver, Okanagan Falls and the RDOS area A, C & D, has received numerous letters from our membership, in support of the National Park that was proposed for this area.

A great deal of time and money has been invested in the creation of a National Park.  The process has come along way and with continued consultations with stakeholders we are confident remaining issues can be resolved.   We understand that a large ticket feasibility study paid for by tax payers was completed in 2008 and has never been released to the public.  We would like to have access to this study so we can work with our three local communities on next steps to secure a National Park for this area. To stop the process now is to miss a chance to leave a lasting legacy by conserving one of the country’s greatest natural treasures.

The Chamber strongly believes that along with the preservation of our endangered ecosystem a National Park will create jobs and attract visitors to the region.  Conservative estimates suggest a National Park will result in an influx of millions of dollars to the local economy.   Therefore, for all of the aforementioned reasons and in keeping with your governments “job action plan” we would like to urge the government to reverse its recent decision to withdraw support for the proposed National Park.

Sincerely,

Petra Veintimilla President
S.O. Chamber of Commerce

cc:  Town of Osoyoos, Town of Oliver; Regional District Okanagan Similkameen