Troubled by national park....

[Darkwolf]

The Canadian Federal government is currently reviewing the idea of designating the public land in the south okanagan region of B.C. as a national park. Development and road building are threatening the area which is a unique ecosystem. However, ranching, hunting and off-road use of the area, home to elk, bighorn, bear, deer and gamebirds, will, of course be outlawed. The major newspapers have all taken up the cause, as well as environmental groups.

I'm all for protection of this area, but I have a problem with putting it in the National Park system.

It eliminates almost all traditional resource use for the local people, including the native peoples, the ranchers who have been there for hundreds of years and other residents in favour of "No-impact" use by occasional urbanites.

Jasper and Banff National parks are proof positive that National parks are just as, if not more environmentally destructive as non-parks.

Any suggestions?