Three provincial parks and one protected area in B.C.'s Central Interior were among those to get additions through the BC Parks land acquisition program, according to an annual report released this month.
Here is a look:
- Mount Pope Provincial Park: 0.17 hectares purchased for $220,000 to provide more parking for trail users.
- Mount Robson Provincial Park: 0.9 hectares of statutory right-of-way purchased for $50,000, to protect a portion of the Overlander trail along the banks of the Fraser River.
- Tweedsmuir Provincial Park: 24.5 hectares on the south side of the park near Bella Coola purchased for $575,000 to preserve grizzly bear and salmon habitat.
- West Twin Protected Area: 59 hectares along the Fraser River and encircled by the protected area purchased for $120,000.
In all, 650 hectares to be added to 16 provincial parks and two protected areas was purchased for $6.8 million.
Federation of Mountain Clubs of B.C. executive director Barry Janyk gave a mixed reaction.
“It would be heresy to speak against the addition of new parkland,” he said. “But where is the investment to care for what we already have?”
Janyk said B.C.’s outdoor clubs want the province to match land acquisition with funds to manage it. With a budget of $40.6 million, B.C. Parks is responsible for one of the largest park systems in North America, including more than 14 million hectares and 1,034 parks and protected areas. In comparison, the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks budget was $42.6 million for 23 regional parks and other areas.
For the full report, click here.
- with files from the Vancouver Sun
