|
 |
 EarthCare says government abandoning B.C.,'s legacy
August 3/02 - Outdoor Column
By J.P. Squire
The Canadian Earthcare Society based in Kelowna has joined the long list of
those concerned about B.C.'s backcountry.
Specifically, the society is worried about the impact of the provincial
Liberals abandoning maintenance of the Myra and Little White forest service
roads.
Those take 40,000 tourists a year to the world-renowned Myra Canyon, now
part of the Trans-Canada Trail. They also provide access to the new
Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park southeast of Kelowna.
In addition, Earthcare is concerned about the Ministry of Forests' decision
to stop maintaining trails and to abandon or privatize recreation sites.
"We are in the Penticton forest district which has the highest level of
forest recreation site visits in B.C.," says spokesman Lloyd Manchester.
"The health and safety of both people and the environment is being put into
question by the provincial government's plan to privatize B.C. parks,
forest recreation sites, campsites and in particular, trails and forest
service roads."
Earthcare is calling on Premier Gordon Campbell, Minister of Forests
Michael de Jong, and Minister of Water, Air and Land Protection Joyce
Murray to end discussions about privatization until a proper public review
is completed.
"This plan is ill-conceived and makes no sense. There has, once again,
been no public consultation and no in-depth look at the real economics
involved in our parks and forest recreation system," says Manchester.
"Who gave them a mandate to blatantly disregard a legacy of parks created
over numerous years by the taxpayers and residents of this province? No
previous government ever had the audacity to even consider it had such
rights of power."
No one would question that the economic benefits to the Okanagan from
tourism and ecotourism are substantial.
Kelowna Tourism estimates a direct impact of $5 million every year and it's
growing. "This figure doesn't include all the indirect benefits of people
visiting our area. What signal are you sending to tourists who may plan to
visit our community and parks?" says EarthCare.
The environmental group is asking the public to telephone, fax or e-mail
the premier, minister of forests, minister of water, air and land
protection, and local MLAs.
"Tell them to stop their plans to privatize parks, forest recreation sites,
trails and roads until a full review has been undertaken," recommends
Manchester.
The Sheriff recorded, for posterity, the removal of the steel rails and
wooden ties in 1980-81 after a failed attempt by a non-profit citizens'
group to preserve the historic line.
The province could have stepped in but chose to wait until it could simply
buy the right-of-way and trestles.
Since the first time the Sheriff saw the canyon from the seat of a
one-cylinder railway speeder (railway maintenance car), the Sheriff has
considered it as "primo" (first in the Okanagan).
It is the absolute best combination of Mother Nature's handiwork and
mankind's engineering genius in this province if not the all of Canada.
Those in the know say there is nothing else like it in the world.
When the Sheriff and Constant Companion Carmen cycled through the canyon in
June, we met people from around the globe who agreed.
J.P. Squire, alias the Ski (Hiking, Biking, Horseback Riding, Kayaking)
Sheriff, is an avid outdoors enthusiast. You can talk to him or leave a
voice mail message at 470-0751, or e-mail him at jp.squire@ok.bc.ca.
<< back
|
|
Canadian EarthCare Society
Street Address:
702 Bernard St., Kelowna, B.C. V1Y6P5
E-mail: info@earthcares.org
|
