The Ministry of Environment has analyzed thousands of submissions from residents in response to the proposed provincial park for the South Okanagan.
The 81-day public comment period generated 3,460 responses from British Columbians. The feedback shows the public is very interested and passionate about issues of environmental protection, First Nations cultural values, tourism and recreation opportunities in the South Okanagan.
Themes identified throughout the submissions included the need to ensure connectivity between areas, to preserve and protect the remaining biodiversity of the South Okanagan, and to recognize the importance of hunting, fishing, tourism, ranching and recreation in the area.
Several additional areas were suggested as requiring protection, including areas around Vaseux Lake and the South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area. Comments also focused heavily on respecting existing land use commitments, such as access and recreational activities in regards to the Okanagan Shuswap Land and Resource Management Plan.
Please find the full report available here.
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