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 Canada's Parks at Risk
For Immediate Release September 16, 2002
The provincial Liberal government has betrayed B.C.'s citizens by refusing
to conduct broad public consultation on the future of B.C.'s parks say two
prominent environmental organizations. According to The Canadian Parks and
Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and the B.C. Environmental Network's Parks and
Wilderness Caucus, the government created Recreation Stewardship Panel (RSP)
will be releasing its draft recommendations on park management and funding
on September 16. They will be receiving comments on the draft until October
15 however, the Panel does not plan to visit any communities to obtain input
from the public.
CPAWS and the B.C. Environmental Network's Parks and
Wilderness Caucus are appalled at this lack of comprehensive public
consultation process on the fate of British Columbia's Parks.
"B.C.'s parks are the jewels in the crown of the province. They are an
important but neglected natural resource that are linked strongly to B.C.
citizens' sense of identity," noted Eva Riccius, ParkWatch Coordinator for
CPAWS.
"Every year more than 60% of B.C. residents visit a provincial park,
and a solid 90% of British Columbians feel strongly that nature is crucial
to human survival. B.C. citizens want to provide their input on the future
of the parks system.
"We are extremely concerned that the government is not allowing for a
proper public consultation process. The panel has elected to consult the
public using only the internet, which does not allow many people in the
province the ability for input. This is totally unacceptable, "said Riccius.
The two organizations are arranging public meetings around the province in
the latter half of September to gather public input on the RSP draft
recommendations. These meetings will be held in Kelowna, Kamloops, Williams
Lake, Prince George, Vancouver and Victoria.
"The B.C. Environmental Network's Parks &Wilderness caucus is extremely
concerned that the recommendations of the panel could undermine the
ecological fabric of our parks system.
Member groups of the caucus will
assist in coordinating the meetings to ensure the public is heard," stated
Lloyd Manchester, coordinator for the BCEN Parks & Wilderness caucus.
For more information contact:
Eva Riccus (CPAWS) at 604-685-7445 or Lloyd Manchester (BCEN) at
250-712-9713
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Canadian EarthCare Society
Street Address:
702 Bernard St., Kelowna, B.C. V1Y6P5
E-mail: info@earthcares.org
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