By Times Chronicle Staff
The federal government reports that talks on the proposed National Park Reserve are continuing in person.
That is the latest, albeit familiar news from Parks Canada.
In last week’s release, it states that Parks is working with the province and the syilx Okanagan Nation on identifying key elements of an establishment agreement.
“The three parties have now resumed meeting in person for negotiations. This follows delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 wildfires and floods in British Columbia,” Parks Canada said.
As negotiations continue, Parks Canada is collecting scientific information on the proposed park area and species at risk (SAR). It estimates there are 92 provincially listed SAR and 37 federally-listed SAR, plus 17 ecological communities at risk in the park’s working boundary.
“The true number of SAR within the working boundary is likely higher than current estimates suggest, as many areas have never been surveyed,” Parks Canada said.
The working boundary encompasses more than 270 square kilometres (27,300 hectares) of landscape in the Mt. Kobau, Spotted Lake and Kilpoola areas, including the South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area.
Parks Canada says the park will advance reconciliation and preserve opportunities for syilx Okanagan Nation cultural practices.
It maintains that cattle grazing rights will continue and that no private land will be obtained unless on a willing-seller basis.
Park opponents have long argued that the reserve will negatively impact ranching activities, helicopter training, mining rights, and exclude many others from their recreational pursuits.
