To the Editor:
As national park supporters, the South Okanagan Similkameen National Park Network (SOSNPN) has always encouraged a full public discussion based on facts. We wish to address the continued misinformation provided by the Grassland Park Review Coalition’s (GPRC) recent Letter to the Editor.
The GPRC rhetoric that wildfires are prevented by cattle grazing is misleading and exaggerated. Two experts on wildfire prevention in this region say: “There is no scientific evidence to back the claim that grazing helps suppress wildfire in the southern Interior. Overgrazing can actually create the opposite effect by encouraging invasive cheatgrass, which creates a continuous, flashy fuel load that is nearly impossible to get rid of, as the cheatgrass-fire-cheatgrass cycle perpetuates itself. Controlling forest ingrowth by prescribed burning, and strategically reducing woody fuels, has far more impact on wildfire suppression than the presence or absence of livestock.”
In a national park reserve, Parks Canada is responsible for preventing and managing wildfires, in collaboration with other governments. Their services, expertise, and funding will be a benefit to the region. We are safer when wildfire experts are in charge – not cows.
BC and Canada have stated unequivocally that HNZ, the local helicopter company, can continue their business within the national park. In fairness to HNZ, they have nothing in writing yet, and won’t until the park establishment process is formally underway again. We understand HNZ management is open to discussions.
The GPRC state concern about an overabundance of deer and bears. In a national park, Parks Canada is responsible for wildlife management in collaboration with nearby municipalities, not private citizens.
The GPRC say that hiking, fishing, horse trail riding, mountain bike riding, and hiking aren’t allowed within a national park – this is completely incorrect.
The 826-page LRMP document completed 17 years ago remains unchanged. Areas that were recommended for protection are small and isolated from one another. Factors such as climate change, invasive species, development and population growth still threaten our landscape and species. It is of critical importance to connect these protected areas and build on the good work that was done through the LRMP.
Over 70 per cent of South Okanagan-Similkameen residents support the national park reserve. We encourage the public, including members of the GPRC, to keep up-to-date with the correct facts as the Provincial, Federal, and Okanagan Nation Alliance negotiations proceed.
Doreen Olson, Coordinator
South Okanagan - Similkameen National Park Network (SOSNPN)