Public consultation period for proposed national park reserve concludes

PENTICTON – The public consultation period for the proposed national park reserve in the South Okanagan Similkameen has ended.

Parks Canada made the announcement in a press release issued today, March 15, stating the opportunity for the public to share views and ideas on the proposed park reserve boundary and management of the lands — which ran from Dec. 10, 2018 to today, March 15 — has concluded.

Parks Canada says it will continue working with specific stakeholder groups and private landholders after holding 36 meetings with stakeholder groups and receiving around 2,750 submissions through online consultations.

A "What we Heard” report based on all the feedback will be prepared for public viewing in the coming months, Parks Canada says. The report will summarize and provide analysis of the consultation’s results, which will inform future recommendations regarding the proposed national park reserve.

Parks Canada doesn't say when the report will be released.


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Steve Arstad

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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