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Parks Canada reveals preliminary national park concept

There was no ta-da moment on Saturday when Parks Canada unveiled its preliminary concept for a national park on Bowen Island.

There was no ta-da moment on Saturday when Parks Canada unveiled its preliminary concept for a national park on Bowen Island.

There was a map of possible park boundaries, a commitment to preserve and protect the island's ecology, a desire to enhance educational opportunities and a promise to respect the island's special rural character - all things that Parks Canada had stressed in all of its earlier presentations.

But there were no announcements of proposed campsites, new trails or a visitors' centre.

As the three-hour public meeting at BICS unfolded, however, that lack of a specific vision for the park turned out to be the main feature of a park concept. Time and time again, Wayne Bourque, the superintendent of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, said that Parks Canada does not come into an area and unilaterally make decisions. Every step that it takes is done with community consultation and that takes a long, long time.

Ten years after the Gulf Islands national park was established, the management plan - done with community involvement and permission - is almost ready. That plan was done slowly and carefully, with community involvement in each and every step. That's the same approach Parks Canada is going to take with Bowen Island.

"We're looking for you to tell us what works and doesn't work," Bourque said in his opening address. "Is there something [in the preliminary concept] missing? If you don't want a park, why? It's important to look at the whys. We're going to summarize the feedback and analyze the challenges and opportunities. Is there something that has to be negotiated?"

If the comments and responses are appropriate for this stage of negotiations, they will be incorporated in a concept plan that will be presented to the public before the community opinion vote, slated for early June.

If the community says no, "it stops there," Bourque says. Likewise, the process stops if Parks Canada decides it's not feasible. Parks Canada needs to make sure that Bowen Island lands represent areas of natural heritage. Its goal is to create parkland that allows future generations to enjoy the same opportunities that exist today.

What Parks Canada will be looking at is whether Bowen Island provides opportunities to preserve and maintain ecosystems, and allow others to explore our natural heritage.

"We're talking about what this island will look like for your children and your children's children," Bourque said. "A national park can be a refuge for biological diversity and a place to recreate and experience the natural environment. It also has to be respectful of your way of life. You don't want the park to change your way of life."

If there's consensus, the plan goes to the provincial and federal governments for comments, along with Metro Vancouver, which owns Crippen Park. Bourque said the concept may "fall apart" at this stage and "it dies there, too." (He said there is not yet serious negotiations with the upper levels of government because those levels of government want to know if Bowen Islanders support the plan first.)

If there is agreement between the federal and provincial governments then the concept plan goes to the provincial cabinet and federal ministries which will decide if the plan is in accordance with appropriate legislation.

If approved, it goes back to Parks Canada to do a fuller assessment. Parks Canada then reports "the state of the park" back to the community and governments. This part of the process can take five years. Then it goes back to consultation about specific issues such as whether there should be a parking lot in Crippen Park. Public input is vital. If that's what people want, then it becomes part of the management plan. If it's not what people want, then it's left out.

Even establishing boundaries takes a long time. Parks Canada has to find out if there are any rights associated with the public lands, or any encumbrances. Once dealt with, they must be passed by provincial and federal legislation. "There's no heavy-handed approach," Bourque said. "It takes two or three years. Then we identify future needs. We can always add lands but to take land out requires and act of parliament."

User fees

Ten years after the creation of the Gulf Islands park, there are no user fees. That's still part of the management plan that's being worked out. However, Bourque said, the idea is something like this: if the community wants flush-toilet washrooms, well-equipped picnic areas and 10 new trails that are maintained to a high standard, then Parks Canada will want to recoup some of the costs. If people are happy with keeping the park rustic, it's unlikely that fees will be charged.

Any fees that are charged on Bowen, for such things as overnight camping, stay on Bowen.

The preliminary parks concept says, "Parks Canada is currently investigating options with Bowen Island Municipality to enable Parks Canada to receive user fee revenues through mechanisms that do not require Bowen Island residents to purchase park passes."

Boundaries

Crippen Park is included in the proposed park boundaries in part because it is an essential access point for visitors. However, Parks Canada recognizes that the park is primarily used by islanders. "We know there are many people who utilize Crippen Park to get from Point A to Point B. You shouldn't need to pay - that's an important consideration," Bourque said.

As to other parts of Crippen Park that are used for events and community gatherings, "we don't see why we can't accommodate current uses."

Leiben lands were left out of the boundary map because Parks Canada thought they were private, and no private lands are being included. The lands were deeded to the province, however, so if the community wants them as part of the park, they can be added to the concept plan.

Adding Bowen Island to national park lands would "significantly enhance representation of Strait of Georgia lowlands and really enhance our ability to protect" a different ecology that is found elsewhere in the Gulf Islands park.

Ferries and Snug Cove

Parks Canada would "go out of its way" to let visitors know about alternate ways to get to Bowen. It will also help visitors choose times that reduce ferry congestion. "Visitors no more want to be on a crowded ferry than we do," Bourque said. He's also talked with Peter King of the Bowen bus service to discuss how public transportation can help ease traffic and congestion issues.

However, Bourque said, "we can't give you the answers or solutions. It will come from you."

Engaging visitors

Parks Canada has a mandate to engage visitors. "If we just protect [the lands] and don't educate and interpret, they lose their relevance."

Parks Canada wants to work with existing local businesses to help ensure that visitors have a meaningful visit to the rest of the island too.

Camping

Parks Canada is envisioning walk-in or kayak-to campsites. "We're not proposing car camping," Bourque said. "Where those campsites would be, I can't tall you. I can't say, 'We want a dozen campsites and they should be here.' We need to go through the whole process [of public consultation.] We want to work with you."

Safety

Much is done before and during a visitor's arrival on Bowen to teach them how to preserve and protect the natural resources. Wardens explain why fires can't be allowed, or campsites are pack-in/pack out. (Anything that's brought into the site must be brought back out.) There's a very high level of compliance at the Gulf Islands park.

Although the land is federal, provincial rules, such as speed limits and alcohol restrictions, apply.

Funding

Parks Canada has committed to spending at least $10 million over the next five years on infrastructure and investment. It will also spend $2 million a year on operating costs, such as staff wages.

Have your say

Parks Canada is accepting public comments and suggestions about the preliminary park concept until March 28.

Feedback forms are available at the municipal office or on the municipal website, www.bimbc.ca. You can also visit www.parkscanada.gc.ca/bowen, email bowen@pc.gc.ca or fax 604-666-7957. Parks Canada's closest office is 300-300 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 6B4.

Unfortunately, there is not enough space for the story about the public's questions and answers at Saturday's meeting, nor for the Bowen Island council's response on Monday night. Those stories will be in next week's Undercurrent.