‘Huge support’ for park noted

Support for a national park in the South Okanagan-Similkameen is much stronger than the B.C. government is letting on, according to an environmental group that’s pushing for the nature preserve.

The Wilderness Committee claims it has documented proof of support from 92 per cent of individuals and 81 per cent of businesses who responded to the B.C. government’s call for comments on an intentions paper that laid out a concept for the park.

That’s significant, according to committee spokesman Joe Foy, who believes the B.C. government has consistently downplayed public support for the park to placate opponents and justify its non-committal to the project.

“I think they’re giving undue consideration to those who are arguing for a small park. They should actually let people clearly understand that there is huge support,” said Foy.

His group came up with its estimates of support after combing through 5,000 pages of documents it obtained through a freedom-of-information request.

The response package included copies of emails to politicians and government staffers, plus feedback forms received through a dedicated website and environmental groups.

According to the committee’s tally, the government received 3,276 responses in favour of the park and 282 against. Another 95 either took no position or were duplications.

The Wilderness Committee estimates a national park would support upwards of 800 jobs and generate $57 million annually in visitor spending in the region.

The intentions paper released in August 2015 by the B.C. government set out a proposal to create a two-piece national park: one part centred on the White Lake Basin south of Penticton and the other on the Snowy Protected Area west of Osoyoos.

The Ministry of Environment did not respond to a request for comment Monday. It said previously a decision on whether or not to pursue creation of the park is expected by the end of the year. The concept was first pitched in 2003.