I congratulate Oiver Town councillors on what I hope will be their determination to discuss the Towns official position on establishing a National Park in the South Okanagan.
But my congratulations are contingent on you acting in support of the greater interests of not just the citizens of Oliver, but on behalf of citizens throughout the region and province. If you are able to do that, you shall rise to the lofty plateau of acting in the widespread greater interests of all Canadians, including me, and I would welcome that.
There are always questions about who is entitled to what when the overriding decision of “do the best for the most” is at issue. This should be relatively easy to sort out, given that what’s at stake here is Public land owned by the people of British Columbia.
And it is important to stress that what’s at stake here is PUBLIC LAND, not private land. If it becomes important that private land would demonstrably enhance the ecological and social value of a National Park, then that can be negotiated on a “willing parties” basis
Of course, the first person through the door (onto the land) thinks he/she is entitled to preferential treatment, but times have changed; society has evolved in its expectations that “we the people” should have the leading role to play, and are entitled to have their overall interests be placed first. Special interests that have exploited privileged access to public lands and public resources, and in many cases public financial subsidies and regulatory lenience, have had preferential use of public lands for the past century. I, and many Canadians, and according to polls, many residents of the South Okanagan, think it’s time that “we the people” have our century.
National Parks have evolved to be, and in most cases are today, primarily about protecting ecological integrity , including the protection of landscapes, wildlife, water, air sheds, view-scapes, and secondarily, about the privilege of Canadians being able to interact with and enjoy these natural gems without impairing their long term viability. That is where the emphasis must be. And you can help make it that way with your endorsement.
Because small areas do not have adequate “interior” habitat / land, the designation of a “functional” landscape as a National Park is essential. This Park must be at least 2000 km2 in size, but would greatly benefit if it were up to 4000 km2, in order that the ecological values that comprise intact ecosystems – all the native biological “components”, functional ecological and evolutionary processes, the size and range of populations of living organisms (plant and animal) that provide a high probability of long term viability – are encompassed and included in the boundaries.
While protected landscape size is a major issues, there are other concerns and problems that relate directly to ecological well being. For example, many of the long entrenched human activities consuming public resources in the area have impaired biological resources and ecological resilience. It would be an embarrassment to Canadians, and frankly it would be fraudulent, to permit these activities to continue in a National Park.
In todays climate stressed world, you also have the chance to make a statement endorsing a National Park that would in fact contribute positively to reducing green house gas emissions, something the province and Canada have committed, but are struggling, to do. Such a credit would be valued in todays world.
Its not often that you have a chance to do the right thing for so many people, nor is it common to have the opportunity to do something that will be of lasting benefit for todays residents, and for generations to come. Endorsing, promoting, and working toward designating a functional National Park in the Okanagan is such an opportunity.
I urge you to step us and do what good government should do; move aggressively to protect the public trust. You have not only an opportunity, but I believe a responsibility, to be an important force in providing a national endowment to support all future generations of citizens in this country.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brian L. Horejsi
Penticton