The proposed national park is a “blunt instrument” that will not create a balance for all values identified in this region, says BC Minister of Environment Mary Polak.
The minister contacted the Chronicle for an exclusive interview on the approach she is taking to protect flora, fauna and recreational activities in the South Okanagan-Similkameen.
“We are not pursuing a national park,” she confirmed, noting such an approach is too “blunt” in trying to address all of the issues on the table.
Polak acknowledged a recent poll that suggests growing support for a national park. But she said the poll was “not a tough question” that addressed the challenge of balancing all interests.
Polak said people are naturally going to say they want a national park if you simply ask them. But the tougher, more defining question is how are you going to protect all of the values, such as wildlife, grasslands, ranching, tourism, and hunting?
According to Polak, a national park won’t do this. But a provincial park will.
“We think we can effectively respond to that with a range of protections . . . maybe a class A park.”
The minister said they can provide high-level protection while allowing certain recreational activities to take place.
“Provincially, there are some forms of protection that don’t need legislation (unlike the requirement for legislation if you want a national park).”
Polak said a class A provincial park doesn’t take nearly as long to establish as a national park. “We can be ready within a year.”
The minister said they have already started discussions with Okanagan Nation Alliance on protecting the values and interests identified.
But BC Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko is urging Polak to reconsider her plan.
He pointed to a recent poll that shows growing support for the proposed national park reserve. He cited support from regional districts, municipal governments, First Nations, Chambers of Commerce and the tourism sector.
“I agree with the mayor of Osoyoos when she states that only a national park has the money, mandate and expertise to protect and restore our endangered species and help protect our watershed.”
MLA Linda Larson said she doesn’t give much credence to the poll, and agrees with Polak that all values can be protected using a provincial approach as opposed to a federal mandate.
Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie said his council does not have a position on the proposed national park.
“Of course in every community there are people for an issue and those against an issue, and some who don’t care either way.”
Louie said his band council is no different.
“I am sure on council there will be those for and against.”
The chief said he has not looked in detail at the park proposal and has not seen the latest approach from the provincial government.
But Don Venturi, manager of HNZ Topflight (formerly Canadian Helicopters), said he supports the BC government’s approach.
“We know we can work with the provincial government, we can talk to them and help each other (unlike the federal government and Parks Canada).”
Venturi said if a national park was established in the South Okanagan, HNZ Topflight would lose its business (training pilots).
“We don’t want to take that chance. We spent $5.3 million on our building.”
The manager acknowledged that many people claim the business would still be able to operate in a national park.
“That’s bullshit. Everybody said we would be grandfathered, but there is no grandfathering.”
Venturi said national park proponents don’t care about what HNZ brings to the region in terms of dollars.
He also pointed out that helicopter pilots are environmentally conscious about wildlife when they are training. “When we see animals, we stay away.”
Venturi said if a national park was established, it would no longer belong to the people of BC, it would belong to Canada.
Mark Quaedvlieg of the Southern Interior Stockmen’s Association believes the national park idea has done nothing but polarize the region into opposing factions, which doesn’t make any sense to him.
“With a provincial park you have management options. With a national park, you only have preservation.”
Quaedvlieg noted the region already has preservation with groups like the Nature Conservancy and Nature Trust.
The rancher pointed out that the previous Land Resource Management Plan addressed all of these values and concerns, and was supported by the stakeholders because it had “balance.”
Quaedvlieg said the claim that ranching and helicopter training would be permitted in a national park is bogus, and ranchers have never been given assurances that their grazing tenures would remain intact.
“There is no intention of allowing (cattle) grazing in the national park.”
In terms of Parks Canada buying ranch land, it comes down to willing sellers, he pointed out. “They can’t pay above market value, so they can’t really offer you a gold watch.”
One of Quaedvlieg’s fears is that if cattle grazing is compromised, the region would experience catastrophic fire because of the increased fuel load.
The rancher is also not convinced that a national park will create 700 jobs as proponents claim.
Dan Albas, MP for Okanagan-Coquihalla, said both sides of the park debate have presented valid points to support their positions.
He noted there is definitely value in a provincial process since these land use agreements can offer a balance, but they can also create conflicts too.
Albas said you cannot put a price on the value of a park, but in reality you have to.
Land claims, mineral rights, timber rights, and Crown land grazing all carry significant costs that haven’t been identified in this case, the MP stated.
“In general, I support parks and do see benefits from a national park in the South Okanagan, but also recognize there are challenges and fiscal realities that exist.”
Albas pointed out there is now 3,340 acres in a conservancy area including Osoyoos, Oliver and Keremeos where endangered grassland species are protected.
But NDP environment spokesperson Spencer Chandra Herbert said there is tremendous local support for the jobs that a national park would bring to the region.
“It’s time for the BC Liberal government to stop throwing up barriers to this economic development opportunity,” he stated.
Herbert pointed out the Okanagan Similkameen is home to more than 60 federally listed endangered species in a unique landscape that is not protected by any national park in Canada.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
