July 12 – Environment Minister Mary Polak with ODN

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.

May 22nd

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.

(Linda) Larson: (told ODN) “A small National Park is possible”. The province could support such a National Park if it was part of a carefully planned area….

April 23

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 from Polak: I talked to Chief Louie yesterday by telephone keeping him up-to-date with everything that has transpired.