South Okanagan national park back on the agenda

The debate over a proposed Interior grasslands national park in the South Okanagan could be heating up once again.

The Union of B.C. Municipalities will soon be making a presentation to the provincial government calling for Victoria to re-enter discussions with the federal government on the issue. This follows the adoption of a resolution presented by the Town of Osoyoos during last week’s UBCM convention.

The park review has remained on hold since the province announced in late 2011 it no longer backed development of the park, mainly due to insufficient local support.

Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells said Tuesday although any final decision would be up to the province, the park issue shouldn’t be shelved.

Town council feels the park could create significant economic benefits for the South Okanagan, including more jobs during the shoulder seasons.

Wells said the tourism potential of a national park is tremendous, especially for international visitors.

“When you have a national park, you are on a different plateau as far as attracting tourists,” he said. “It really brings British Columbia, Canada and the Okanagan Valley to a higher level.”

Wells also pointed to the environmental protection a park would provide for the area encompassing Canada’s lone pocket desert, which extends as far north as Okanagan Falls and Kaleden.

“The species that are there, are found nowhere else in Canada,” he said.

At higher elevation, a unique grasslands area exists.