Two deadlines are coming up this weekend for the public to comment on important initiatives.

Both are park related and both will affect the Osoyoos community and surrounding area for decades to come.

In August, the provincial government released an “Intentions Paper” offering proposals for protecting the unique and endangered grasslands habitat of the South Okanagan.

The proposal would create two unconnected areas of national park reserve, separated by a less well protected provincial conservancy around Mount Kobau.

Separately, the Town of Osoyoos is consulting residents and visitors on priorities for parks and trails in Osoyoos. The results of this consultation will be incorporated into a 20-year Parks and Trails Master Plan.

If the Town of Osoyoos gets its way, these two separate consultations will have a link – with trails from the town connecting with the national park.

The deadline for the province’s consultation is this Saturday, Oct. 31 and people can complete a brief survey online and also see the Intentions Paper.

The deadline for the town’s consultation on Osoyoos trails and parks is Sunday, Nov. 1, and you can also read the materials and complete the survey online. Or you can pick up a printed copy at Planning and Development Services at 8711 Main Street.

Tourism is a vital part of the Osoyoos economy and both these consultations will have a huge impact on the tourism potential of our community.

They will also greatly enhance lifestyle opportunities for local residents.

Proponents of a national park – both from the tourism industry and conservationists – support the province’s proposal to create a national park reserve to the west of Osoyoos and the west of Vaseux Lake, but they would like to see the large area between the two, which includes Mount Kobau, included in the national park.

Opponents of a park, largely consisting of hunters and all-terrain vehicle users, are opposed to any national protection that might limit their activities.

The provincial government tried to strike a compromise between these competing views, but neither side of this polarized debate is satisfied.

In last week’s federal election, voters in South Okanagan-West Kootenay turned out in numbers not seen in recent elections to cast their ballots. Almost three quarters of registered electors turned up at the polls.

Of course it takes more effort to respond to a survey than to mark an X on a ballot, but we hope readers will show similar enthusiam to voice their opinions on these important initiatives.

For your convenience, we’ve created shorter links to these websites:

For the provincial government Intentions Paper information and survey, visit:
http://bit.ly/1DSZrPq

For the Town of Osoyoos Parks and Trails survey and background information, visit:
http://bit.ly/1MrlTDm