FAQs
Who within the federal government is responsible for the South Okanagan-Similkameen national park reserve establishment process?
Parks Canada is the lead federal agency responsible for the park establishment process. Other federal agencies in the area include Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and Natural Resources Canada Dominion Radio Atmospheric Observatory.
Is a new feasibility assessment needed, or will the governments approve the previous version?
The Canada-B.C. Steering Committee completed a feasibility assessment report in 2011 that was not approved by the Government of British Columbia at that time.
The Syilx/Okanagan Nation also completed a Syilx vision for a protected area and associated recommendations in 2012.
Parks Canada, the Government of British Columbia, and the Syilx/Okanagan Nation will develop a revised park reserve concept and proposed boundary and will consult with the public on this park concept, The Lower Similkameen and Osoyoos Indian bands will establish information sharing and consultation processes for their respective Communities. The information gathered in support of the previous feasibility assessment reports will assist the parties in finalizing a national park reserve concept. As such, a new feasibility assessment is not required.
How will a national park reserve impact local residents?
Parks Canada does not include communities within the boundaries of new national parks or national park reserves. As such, area residents will not have to pay a fee to access their homes or to receive guests. Local residents will be able to continue to access the backcountry within the park reserve as long as the activities are permitted under the Canada National Parks Act and there are no public safety or resource protection concerns.
Canada's national parks belong to all Canadians. National parks and national park reserves enable Canadians, including youth and newcomers, to experience the outdoors and learn about our environment.
Will there be an impact to private lands?
The federal government has no jurisdiction over property rights on privately owned land adjacent to the boundaries of a national park. Land owners and communities adjacent to the proposed national park reserve will retain full authority over their lands.
Furthermore, lands within the national park reserve would only ever be acquired by mutual agreement (willing seller – willing buyer basis). As set out in the Canada National Parks Act, Section 15 (6), the Government of Canada cannot expropriate private property in order to enlarge or establish a national park or national park reserve. Private lands would only ever be purchased on a willing seller-willing buyer basis, based upon independent property appraisals.
Will cattle grazing be allowed?
Throughout the feasibility assessment process leading to the 2010 park concept for a national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen, Parks Canada has recognized the importance of strong relationships with ranchers and the local ranching industry.
As we move forward in determining the boundaries of the national park reserve proposal, Parks Canada is committed to working with ranching families and the local livestock association to use a regulatory framework that provides ranching families with stability and certainty on crown grazing lands, tenures, water, and other resource values within the proposed national park reserve.
Long term relationships with ranchers are critical to the future success of a national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Lower Similkameen. Although commercial livestock grazing is not typically allowed in a national park reserve, Parks Canada is committed to working with ranching families to provide certainty and stability on their respective Crown grazing tenures. Ranching families within the proposed national park reserve will be able to continue operating as they are today with a similar regulatory framework. A transition plan between the Government of British Columbia and the national park reserve is currently under development.
How will fires be managed?
Syilx peoples have managed the landscape through controlled burns for millenia. Parks Canada is a leader with more than 30 years of experience in fire management and using fire to naturally restore and maintain the ecological integrity of national parks. Parks Canada also manages fire and fuel sources to protect important resources and infrastructure and to prevent catastrophic wildfire.
A fire management plan and a vegetation management plan will be developed for the proposed national park reserve.
Parks Canada will engage with communities, neighbouring jurisdictions, and the public in a dialogue about the objectives and techniques of wildfire control and fire use.
Through its national fire management program, Parks Canada is committed to reducing the risk of wildfires to park and adjacent lands, and to protecting visitors, infrastructure, and natural and cultural resources on the lands it manages. Extensive planning will help manage and reduce the risk of wildfire in the forests and grasslands of the proposed park, in the boundary areas between the park and communities, and on adjacent lands.
Joint planning, public education, active fire management, and training sessions will provide an opportunity to both prevent as well as quickly respond to wildfire incidents.
The safety of the public, fire crews, park infrastructure, and neighbouring lands is always Parks Canada’s number one priority. When wildfires occur and present a risk to people, property, cultural or ecological values, Parks Canada coordinates its efforts with provincial governments, local communities, and other partners to respond immediately to fully suppress wildfires.
Will a national park reserve allow access for continued helicopter use and training?
Parks Canada stands by the commitment to respect provincial permits for helicopter access and training within the proposed park made during previous discussions on a national park reserve proposal in the South Okanagan-Similkameen. Currently and until the time where the national park reserve is established, the permitting of local helicopter operations in the area is the responsibility of Government of British Columbia.
Will area residents have to pay a fee to access their homes by road or to receive guests?
Area residents will not have to pay a fee to access their homes or to receive guests. Parks Canada does not include communities within new national park reserves.
When the national park is established, will Highway 3 become a toll highway?
Even though Highway 3 may traverse the national park reserve, it will not become a toll highway. All main highways will remain under the care and maintenance of the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and fees will not be charged.
Will local residents no longer be able to access the back country because they will either be prohibited, or there will be fees attached?
Local residents will be able to continue to access the backcountry as long as the activities are permitted under the Canada National Parks Act and there are no public safety or resource protection concerns. Fees may apply to recover costs to maintain certain visitor facilities such as backcountry campsites.
Parks Canada charges fees for services and facilities that provide a personal benefit to users. All revenues from fees at national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas are reinvested at the location where they are collected in new services and products and are used for such purposes as maintenance, repairs, or replacement of aging visitor facilities, as well as to enhance visitor experiences. Prices are set to ensure a good value to visitors as well as a fair economic return for taxpayers based on market value and rates.
Canada's national parks belong to all Canadians. We want people to come to national parks to learn about them, to experience them, and to appreciate them.
How does Parks Canada enforce laws under the Canada National Parks Act once a new national park or national park reserve has been created?
When a national park or national park reserve is created, the Canada National Parks Act and a number of other federal laws and regulations come into force to legally protect the natural and cultural resources, including species at risk and other wildlife. Parks Canada's approach to ensure these laws are successful is first through education, outreach, and prevention strategies. The vast majority of visitors are willing to follow all regulations once they are aware of them. Ultimately, when people do break the law, park wardens will assess the situation and take appropriate law enforcement action. By combining education, prevention measures, and law enforcement actions, we are confident that we can continue to protect the natural and cultural resources within national parks, and to ensure enjoyable visitor experiences.
