Dear Editor:
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the story about the national park in your January 25 issue. There are so many bits of misinformation or ‘Nortonisms’ in the article that there is not enough space to correct all.
As a supporter of a national park in the South Okanagan – Similkameen I would like to correct Mr. Norton on his notion about the motivation and leadership of the local group the South Okanagan – Similkameen National Park Network.
We (SOSNPN) are a large group of area residents who have been joined by like minded organizations who work toward protecting nature and our wild landscapes. These groups include the membership-based non-governmental organization BCNature, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and Nature Canada.
One would be hard pressed to call them “corporate environmentalist”! SOSNPN is very open about who we are and our goals. On the other hand, I gather from letters to the editor, newspaper quotes, online blogs etc. that Mr. Norton and the Grasslands Park Review Coalition have the support of the BC Wildlife Federation, the organization which most hunters belong to, the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association and Southern Interior Stockmen’s Association.
These groups are generally against national parks as a matter of principal. I am not certain if they represent the landowners and ranchers who are in conversation with Parks Canada since these people have not made public statements to my knowledge.
About the issue of forest fires, where does Mr. Norton get his “facts”? Out of a hat? I think so because they are not accurate.
Parks Canada is renowned for its fire management in a wide variety of landscapes. A national park reserve in the South Okanagan Similkameen would bring with it Parks Canada’s extensive experience and reduce the risk of wildfires both within the proposed park reserve, and outside, through working with adjacent landowners.
Fire protection is desperately needed since there is no effective current plan in place in these areas. In addition, Parks Canada co-ordinates its efforts with provincial staff, local communities and other participants to respond immediately with focused effort to fully suppress wildfires.
Mr. Norton has been raising these fears about risk of wild fires for years and he knows better or should.
In regards to the issue of the size of the proposed park, Parks Canada has agreed to exclude the Snowy Protected Area, thereby reducing the park from 650 square kilometres to 280, a reduction of 57 per cent.
Parks Canada has demonstrated its flexibility.
Excluding this area leaves Snowy Protected Area available for hunters, but Mr. Norton and his allies will not be content until there is no land protected for species at risk, new tourism or jobs for future generations.
First Nations have not had their say yet, their process is not complete. Mr. Norton and the B.C. government are being disrespectful of this process.
Sadly, Minister Lake in his recent statement, has chosen to anger many citizens by “thrilling” Mr. Norton and his allies.
Doreen Olson
Kaleden, B.C.
