Better headline – government still working on way out of a tight corner
A draft plan is being prepared to manage environmentally sensitive areas in the South Okanagan.
That provincial government plan should be unveiled to the public in September but first it goes to the Okanagan Nation Alliance. That’s the key to this plan – native participation, concerns and support for a more localized plan rather than the “blunt instrument” – called National Park.
Mary Polak called me Saturday to give the public an update on what her department (Ministry of Environment) is doing in the back ground following meetings with pro-park and no-park factions earlier this year in Oliver. Both those groups agreed on many things but NOT to the methodology of control and management of crown land, resources, industry, cattle grazing, helicopter training, mining, recreation and most importantly – protection of endangered species and unspoiled/large tracts of land for nature and wildlife.
Polak says mapping is key – looking at how wildlife moves north and south, east and west, where land has been designated as protected and how that can be expanded with other property. Those in the know are trying to put as much of that land in the control of local native bands, provincial parks, Nature’s Trust and even private land that property now controlled by the federal government. Safe to say some of that can be offered as a National Park but other land north of Mt. Kobau seems not to be covered by that Plan A but controlled by other parts of the provincial “toolbox”.
Polak says both the local MLA and herself want what is best and a smaller specific area for a National Park is not out of the question and has always remained in the “toolbox” in a range of options and choices.
The province knew that native band support was key and it believes that new co-operative arrangements on management of parks and iconic landmarks (MacIntrye Bluff, Haynes Point, Spotted Lake) shows the positive engagement that has been done. Polak says that coming together is something to be proud of.
“The aim of all this is legislation in the spring of 2016″ says Polak but the public must have a plan to see and have a chance* to endorse it.”
“It’s not a matter of what to do it but how to do it right” says the minister.
With an election looming in the spring of 2017 – most observers agree the Liberals would want this issue to be contained.
What are the components of the draft plan:
Involvement with the wishes and concerns of local native bands and people
Mapping large tracts into zones – each zone having a different and separate management plan
Different levels of maintenance, control, management and staffing including regulated use
Polak says ” the former MLA didn’t support a National Park and this should not all be hung on Linda’s shoulders.” “This is a provincial concern – it was the province that halted talks with the National Park Service when serious concerns were expressed as to where that plan was heading.”
One benefit of discussions with the Okanagan Nation Alliance is the development of better relationships between government departments like conservation and the native government.
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April 23, 2015
The province of BC is NOT looking at the idea of a proposed National Park. The minister charged with that file is Mary Polak, Ministry of the Environment. Polak told ODN this morning in a lengthy telephone interview that the National Park is a blunt instrument that is not needed based on the toolbox that the province can supply in protecting the land, the endangered species and the way of life of the people in the South Okanagan-Similkameen. The government of BC has no plan to re-engage in a debate and when asked about survey results indicating a desire for such a park she stated: “I understand completely how many people would answer viscerally to a National Park idea without knowing the consequences and the challenges it would cause to the land and the people. Our challenge as a government is to engage with stakeholders which Polak says she is doing and MLA Linda Larson is doing. Polak met with both sides and the Okanagan Nation Alliance late last year. 
Observers to that process stated that both sides are fairly close together on all issues that concern them except for the National Park label. Polak told both groups that she would issue a report in detail in 2015. In response to a question of a thorough and comprehensive planning document – Polak says she is hoping that this can be complete by the summer but is still working closely with the Okanagan Nation Alliance on mapping the area – with notations of important areas to preserve or enhance through management. Question: Has Chief Clarence Louie been involved in those discussions? Quick response: I talked to Chief Louie yesterday by telephone keeping him up-to-date with everything that has transpired. The protection of endangered species not mention in last press release of April 10 but Polak says the protection of the environment is the “driving force” behind what the government is doing and brings to the table. “We can parcel together land and concepts to enhance the protection of the environment and the way of life of the people” “We must find that balance” but a National Park is not in the cards. We have the toolbox and we are set to use those tools including wildlife management areas. On the role of MLA Linda Larson: “If it were not for Linda, the talk with native representatives and other groups would not be going ahead.”
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April 28 2015
Minister Polak was asked today to make the rounds calling media in the South Okanagan about accusations that one MLA – Linda Larson is dictating the terms of provincial policy. Polak repeated her comments to ODN – provincial tools are being utilized to deal with environmental issues in this region and that the Liberal government led by Christy Clark is not interested in renewing discussions with Ottawa on a proposed National Park. The minister made it clear that MLA Linda Larson has been instrumental in bringing groups together to make change happen in this region and that she has the full confidence of the government at the highest levels.
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May 22, 2015
I sat with MLA Linda Larson on Friday just after the final event of three in which the provincial government and OIB Chief Clarence Louie participated. These events to rename parks and icons in the South Okanagan.
Larson and I talked candidly. What about a future election? What are the plans of the BC government on the National Park issue? etc.
Here is what I gather.
The BC government does not want the National Park as an issue in future federal and provincial elections but time is not a friend to this.
The BC government (Environment Minister Mary Polak) seeks to find partners like OIB, Okanagan Nation Alliance and others in defining what is claimed and desired and what can easily be managed by agreements.
Larson: “A small National Park is possible”. The province could support such a National Park if it was part of a carefully planned area – but not a blanket proposal that takes in so much land controlled by the province, the Nature’s Trust, the Land Conservancy etc.
The minister is planning such a meeting to bring all the players to the table – to explain the provincial toolkit and what it desires.
This event should occur before September. All talks with aboriginal leaders and some form of understanding should be place in June says Larson.