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COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • SEPTEMBER 2018 National park reserve consultations to resume by PETER MITHAM
OLIVER – Plans for a national park reserve continue to advance despite the concerns of ranchers and conservation groups alike. BC Ministry of
Environment staff told Country Life in BC last month that “tripartite discussions are ongoing between [the] feds, province and the Okanagan Nation.”
The comment came after
Parks Canada officials told media in a conference call that it hopes to initiate consultations this fall in the hopes of finalizing a concept for the a national park reserve, including boundaries, by mid-2019. It followed the province’s announcement last October
Opponents stand firm against new protections for grasslands in south Okanagan Catherine McKenna on August 17, a day after a tour with Parks Canada project manager Sarah Boyle. "We are disappointed that the minister and her staff were firm that the creation of a park reserve will be proceeding," says Allison, who has been fighting park proposals since plans were put forward in 2003. A dilemma for ranchers is
27 of a “renewed commitment” to work towards creating a national park reserve from three protected areas in the South Okanagan. The area includes 84,140 acres of grasslands in the South Okanagan west of Okanagan Falls and south to the US border between Oliver and Cawston.
A national park reserve is a step below a national park, and aims to respect Indigenous land rights in the area. Ranchers and conservation groups both say that their own property rights and activities will be impacted by the move, and oppose the proposal. Linda Allison of the Southern Interior Stockmen's Association met with federal environment minister
that provisions regarding activities allowed in the park won't be determined till after contractual agreements granting access to ranchers' lands are signed. “We as an association are
not in favour of a national park,” says Dave Casorso of the Okanagan Simlikameen Stock Association. Ranchers have been told that an agreement between Parks Canada and the province will allow grazing in the proposed reserve, something not allowed in a full-fledged national park save as a management tool. However, it requires an amendment to relevant legislation. “It may sound pretty good
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if you trust the process, but there are many players,” notes Casorso, who says tenure costs may be expensive. “If
grazing is allowed, it may not be affordable for ranchers to manage in-park.”
Unlikely ally Ranchers may have an
unlikely ally in the fight against the reserve: the BC Wildlife Federation, which recently asked the BC auditor general’s office to perform “an audit and examination of cattle grazing leases on Crown land, and related issues.”
But if BCWF has issues with cattle on Crown land, it also has equal concerns regarding a national park reserve because lands owned by conservation organizations could be subject to expropriation and mismanagement. These include nine
properties acquired with funds from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation by the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Nature Trust of BC to conserve the area’s grassland habitat and associated ecosystems. “The goal of the south
Okanagan land purchases was to conserve and enhance sensitive ecosystems while allowing traditional uses such as hunting, fishing and enjoying outdoor recreation in a sustainable manner,” the BCWF says in a statement. However, it cites a BC auditor general’s report to underscore that the province has fallen short in managing protected areas and directs even sharper criticism at Parks Canada.
“Parks Canada’s has a
history of commercialization, and privatization within wilderness areas,” it claims. BCWF also points out that
Parks Canada doesn’t protect “traditional activities” – in its case, hunting, but from ranchers’ perspective, cattle grazing. “The province’s framework states existing users are protected,” states BCWF. “[But] there is no evidence that traditional activities are protected in national parks.” Rather than assume management of sensitive areas, BCWF asks for a collaborative approach that recognizes the value other stakeholders offer. A consultation this fall
would give stakeholders yet another chance to weigh in. Victoria previously sought public opinion on the future of the area in 2015. The process garnered 3,460 responses, and acknowledged the importance of hunting, fishing, tourism, ranching and recreation in the area. "The supposed economic benefits of a park in terms of employment and tourism are at the top of the list," Allison says.
The one ray of hope for ranchers is the stated desire of Ottawa to find common ground with stakeholders. "She gave her personal commitment to those at the meeting, that she would listen and hope to bring people together while saying that a proposed park reserve is proceeding,” says Allison.
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Producers can apply for an advance on calves, yearlings, lambs, bison, forage and grain up to $400,000.00 with the first $100,000.00 being interest free. Plus, interest relief through the Advance Payments Program is available to association members on their feeder cattle purchases.
Application forms are available at
www.bcbfa.ca or by contacting your local association or the BCBFA office. Financing for feeder cattle, sheep and bred heifers/cows is available throughout B.C. from Co-operative Feeder and Bred Heifer Associations. The Province provides a loan guarantee to the Association’s lender. All persons are eligible who reside in British Columbia, are at least 19 years of age and own or lease a farm or ranch. Financing for feeders is for a one year term. Financing for bred heifers/cows is over a 5 year term. Cattlemen, please contact your local association:
Cariboo Bred Heifer Cooperative Cariboo-Chilcotin Cooperative Feeders Assoc Fraser Nechako Bred Heifer Cooperative Assoc
Secretary: Lindy Gilson, Quesnel
Ph 250/992-8483 | Fax 250/992-8489 Ph 250/991-8413 email:
bearvlly@telus.net
Central Interior Feeders Cooperative Assoc Secretary: Audrey Cooper, Vanderhoof Ph 250/567-2049 | Fax 250/567-9049 email:
cifcasecretary@uniserve.com
Okanagan Feeders Cooperative Association Secretary: Michele Lypchuk, Armstrong Tel 250/546-2638 | Fax 250/546-8037 email:
ml@rhllp.ca
North Peace B.C. Feeder Cooperative North Peace B.C. Bred Heifer Cooperative Assoc South Peace B.C. Bred Heifer Cooperative Assoc
Secretary: Connie Patterson, Dawson Creek Ph 250/782-6272 | Fax 250/782-1881 Ph 250/219-0791 email:
pcc@neonet.bc.ca
ADVANTAGES TO THE LIVESTOCK PRODUCER
Reliable source of credit available on short notice from the Association.
Interest rate is competitive or better than on an individual basis.
5% deposit on feeders & 10% deposit on bred heifers allows producers to continue during periods of limited cash flow.
The association is controlled by the members.
Livestock mortality insurance. BC BREEDER & FEEDER ASSOCIATION
LINDY GILSON 308 St. Laurent Avenue, Qusenel, BC, V2J 6R1 P 250.992.8483 | F 250.992.8489 email:
bearvlly@telus.net
BCBFA
www.bcbfa.ca
CIDC Check-off
Check-off
Beef at
Work
BCID Fund
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