Nat'l park decision years off

Parks Canada says the proposed South Okanagan National Park Reserve is not a done deal, and a decision on the project is likely years away.

Representatives of the federal agency met with media Tuesday to discuss the results of public consultations on the proposal.

Four-in-ten participants in the process have voiced concerns, many worried access to the backcountry will be limited for activities like off-roading and hunting. The grazing community is also concerned tenures and licenses — which cover the entire proposed park area — will be impacted.

Parks Canada says they do not have the solutions to those concerns just yet.

“If we were to answer every issue right now having received this report within 48 hours, the suggestion could be made that you’ve got this all cooked up. We don’t,” said Kevin McNamee, director, protected areas establishment.

He said they will be bringing the results of the survey back to the project’s steering committee, consisting of representatives of the Canada and B.C. governments and Osoyoos and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands.

“We recognize very clearly that in order to gain that trust, we have to be a good neighbour on the land.”

McNamee called the park proposal “complex” with “a breadth” of issues to tackle before moving forward.

“At the same time, it is probably one of the most significant opportunities Parks Canada and the country has in terms of a natural ecosystem — grassland ecosystems are probably one of the most endangered ecosystems and landscapes on the planet.”

Parks Canada did point out, however, that concerns about the impact of hordes of tourists descending on the area could be somewhat overblown.

Project manager Sarah Boyle said a South Okanagan national park will not be Banff or Jasper and is expected to attract just 2,000-4,000 new visitors to the area in the formative years.

With a wildfire currently burning west of Osoyoos within the proposed boundaries, Boyle said a South Okanagan National Park would have its own dedicated wildfire response team stationed locally.

It’s hoped a proposed boundary and non-binding memorandum of understanding could be in place this summer, prior to the start of formal negotiations between the governments of Canada, B.C. and the Okanagan Nation Alliance. McNamee guessed those negotiations would take two years at least.

Parks Canada is holding a series of open houses in four South Okanagan and Similkameen communities this week.

On Tuesday, May 14 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Parks Canada representatives will be at the Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver. On May 15, they will have two stops, one at Sonora Community Centre in Osoyoos from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and one at Keremeos Victory Hall from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Finally, on May 16 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., they will be at Penticton's Shatford Centre.