UPDATE: The provincial government released its summary of public feedback received in response to the Intentions Paper on Thursday afternoon:
The provincial government has released an “intentions paper” outlining a broad framework proposal for protecting lands in the South Okanagan. The public has until Oct. 31, 2015 to comment.
The provincial government’s long-delayed response on the national park issue is expected shortly, but the government isn’t saying exactly when.
Originally, the government was expected to comment early in 2016 on the feedback it received in response to its Intentions Paper issued last August.
The government is not budging, however, from a proposal in the Intentions Paper to keep the large Area 2, which includes Mt. Kobau, under provincial control.
“The 2010 Parks Canada proposal is not up for reconsideration,” said David Karn, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment. “The Intentions Paper was clear in advocating a model where a significant part of the area, including Zone 2, would be protected under provincial legislation.”
The paper also proposed a national park reserve south of Highway 3 to the west of Osoyoos and a separate one west of Vaseux Lake.
Area 2, which extends from north of Highway 3 to just north of the gravel road linking Oliver and Cawston, would become a provincial conservancy, providing a lesser degree of protection.
“A summary report of feedback is expected soon and will be posted publicly,” said Karn. “The results of the consultation will inform recommendations on what, if any new land protection measures should be undertaken in the South Okanagan.”
The government’s response to the public consultation was delayed at first by MLA Linda Larson’s attempt – subsequently withdrawn – to have a handpicked secret committee screen the public responses.
It was then delayed while Larson took time off work for a personal matter.
Larson recently told Oliver blogger and town councillor Jack Bennest, with whom she has close ties, that the government would not consider including Area 2 in a national park reserve.
This prompted reaction from at least one park supporter.
“Why consult the public if you are not going to listen to what they have to say?” asked Chloe O’Loughlin, former director of terrestrial conservation with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), who has been active on the issue for a number of years.
She points out that the Town of Osoyoos, Destination Osoyoos and the B.C. Wine Institute all requested that Area 2 be included in the national park reserve.
As well, at least 20 high-profile B.C. scientists asked for all or a significant part of Area 2 to be included, she said.
Doreen Olson, co-ordinator of the South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Network (SOSNPN), also questioned why Larson would rule out Area 2 ahead of release of the report.
“We were very surprised to hear MLA Larson report on the results of the public consultation when the report is neither finished nor released,” said Olson. “We are looking forward to hearing the results of the province’s public consultation and expect that (Environment) Minister (Mary) Polak will listen to what the public has to say and include the results in her report.”
In total, the government received more than 3,400 responses in one form or another to its Intentions Paper. Between 800 and 900 of those were part of a postcard mail-in campaign by the pro-park Wilderness Committee.
The government has said in the past it is not looking at total numbers of comments received, but rather at the substance of comments.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
