Conclusions and Next Steps
The 81 day public comment period that was associated with the Ministry of Environment’s release of the Intentions Paper generated 3,460 responses. While a small percentage of the respondents (members of the public, organizations, affiliations, business interests etc.) chose to submit comments via the online form, a much larger percentage utilized different mediums (e.g., post cards, direct emails, formal letters) in which to convey their interests/recommendations for enhanced protection in the South Okanagan. The comments received varied in detail and presentation, and, while some respondents directly followed the seven question format outlined in the Intentions Paper, the majority of submissions used the release of the Intentions Paper as a platform to reinforce perspectives on the question of whether the South Okanagan was a suitable candidate for a national park reserve.
While all responses were appreciated, the purpose of the Intentions Paper was to solicit public feedback regarding the protected area framework proposal within the paper, one which is intended to reflect as best as possible the wide ranging interests of all interested groups and individuals; the original 2010 national park reserve proposal is not being reconsidered. Given the purpose of the Intentions Paper, submissions focused on the 2010 proposal (either supporting or opposing) weighed far less in the analysis process than responses focused on the questions in the Intentions Paper. In addition, the quantity of responses was factored less in the analysis than the quality of the information, concerns, suggestions and ideas raised in the context of the seven questions.
The questions posed within the Intentions Paper respecting the protected area concept were drafted to seek qualitative information to help the Province consider impacts (positive and negative) of protected area designations and to identify the types of issues that enhanced protection measures would need to consider before implementation. As the process was open-ended for responses, there were no appropriate controls in place, nor was the framework designed to determine overall support or opposition, and therefore the input cannot be considered as a poll.
Despite the deviation from what the Intentions Paper was originally designed to present and elicit, the feedback revealed many common themes and geographical areas of concern that greatly aided the Ministry of Environment in better understanding the interests of those passionate about protection in the South Okanagan. Numerous areas were suggested as requiring some form of enhanced protection and many of those sites were focused in the Vaseux Lake area, areas bordering existing sites of the South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area, and within the White Lake Basin. While other sites were presented as having a strong historical connection to the South Okanagan, such as the Haynes Ranch buildings (east of the Okanagan River), the Grist Mill near Keremeos and the iconic Fairview town site at the base of Oliver Mountain.
The Okanagan Shuswap Land and Resource Management Plan (OSLRMP) factored heavily in many responses, with comments focussed on respecting existing land use commitments (such as access, recreational activities, commercial tenures) and pointing out that there remain outstanding recommendations from the OSLRMP that government should consider for implementation (e.g., Goal 2 park establishment). The decision to create a proposed conservancy designation for Area 2 as presented in the Intentions Paper was influenced by these previous land use commitments.
The Province has been, and will continue to be, in discussions with member bands from the Okanagan Nation Alliance (in particular, the Penticton Indian Band, the Osoyoos Indian Band and the Lower Similkameen Indian Band) on potential protection measures and land management that is collaborative and respects First Nation interests and values in the area. The Province will continue to engage with First Nations to better understand their interests prior to any final decisions.
Next Steps
Continuing engagement with member bands of the Okanagan Nation Alliance to further understand First Nation values and interests in the area. Discussions will include how collaborative management can be accomplished.
Identifying any interim protection measures that should be considered in the short to medium term.