From: Rick Knodel

To: The Honorable Dick Canning Member of Parliament.

Dear Sir;  I have read much of your published material that is critical of the environmental stewardship of the lands on the east side of Osoyoos Lake all the way up to Oliver. I too see that with dismay but realize that the controls of those lands are not of our jurisdiction.

I am very distressed with your support for the proposed South Okanagan national park now that I have read the Osoyoos Indian Band / Syilx nations draft plans and all the feasibility studies for the south Okanagan.

I trust that you understand that these plans call for major developments inside what are currently protected lands. These development plans are to be extensive enough to accommodate and entertain numbers starting at 300,000 people in our 2 to 4 month summer period.

This will put lands that parks Canada has stated openly are now very well managed and are very delicate under extreme duress from development and human traffic.

Inside the Osoyoos Indian Band/Syilx nation drafts are plans to further expand these developments to attract even more visitors into the winter months.

This has been brought to my attention by a number of concerned citizens uncomfortable with the negative perceptions placed on those who disagree with this project.

It is concerning also that the feasibility study is demanding expansion on the west of the Okanagan valley up to Giants Head and on the east up to Rattlesnake Island. These expansions, once the seed park was established could and would be rapid and without public consultation as is allowed by Bill C-27 of the Canada Parks Act.

Having been as outspoken as you have in the past about these very issues of environmental mismanagement, of the same type on the east side of the valley; I can only conclude that your support for this project was misguided.

With these facts in mind I can only trust that you will do the honorable action of withdrawing your support for this project.

I will post this in the media as I am sure your constituents will be interested in your reply.