Province launches 60-day public consultation process on protection options

VANCOUVER – This morning in a positive announcement following consultations in the region, the BC government released an intentions paper and invited public feedback regarding protection options in the South Okanagan-Similkameen. Included in the proposed protection options is a national park reserve designation.

"I am grinning ear to ear," said Gwen Barlee, Policy Director with the Wilderness Committee. "I grew up in the South Okanagan and every time I go back I see another piece of wilderness gobbled up. Establishing a national park reserve here will be something our children and grandchildren will thank us for."

The arid South Okanagan-Similkameen region is one of the four most endangered ecosystems in Canada, and is home to 30 per cent of BC's endangered species – including badgers, rattlesnakes, bobolinks and charismatic burrowing owls.

The BC government's proposed protection framework splits the region into three main areas, two of which are proposed as part of a national park reserve and the third as a provincial conservancy under the BC Park Act.

The federal government began exploring establishing a national park reserve in 2002. In 2011 after extensive public consultation, a National Park Feasibility Assessment Report was released which said the establishment of a national park was feasible and that federal-provincial national park negotiations should begin immediately.

However, in 2011 the BC government unilaterally withdrew from the process citing a lack of community support.

Independent polling has shown strong and growing support for the park, with the most recent poll conducted in March of 2015 showing over 3:1 local support in the regional district of the South Okanagan-Similkameen. Support included 79 per cent of farming or ranching families and 67 per cent of households who participated in snowmobile and ATV riding.

"There are still many questions that need to be answered, and the park size is smaller than we'd like, but this development is a very positive step forward," said Barlee. "We are thrilled to see that the Minister of Environment Mary Polak recognizes the incredible ecological importance of this region and that the provincial government is exploring ways to protect it through a national park designation."

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For more information, please contact:

Gwen Barlee | Policy Director, Wilderness Committee – (604) 202-0322