Press Release
August 3, 2006
Campaign for BC Parks Launched, Opposes New Resorts in Parks
For Immediate Release
August 3, 2006, (Vancouver, BC) - A group of high profile British Columbia conservationists have joined forces to deal with the challenge of maintaining the integrity and sustainability of BC Class A Parks. "Right now we are faced with a surprise announcement made last week by the BC government who announced a call for proposals for roofed accommodations in 12 provincial parks. We are all strongly opposed to the building of new for-profit accommodations, including resorts and hotels, in Class A provincial parks," said leading environmentalist Vicky Husband.
"Our internationally renowned parks are a sacred trust for wildlife, nature and for our children and they must be protected. Resorts and hotels belong outside parks, not inside. We will continue to support environmentally sustainable tourism development outside of parks," commented Husband.
Groups who oppose this government initiative include the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, Canada Parks and Wilderness Society - BC Chapter, World Wildlife Fund Canada, the David Suzuki Foundation, Federation of BC Naturalists, EarthCare Society, Wildsight, Sierra Club of Canada - BC Chapter, Valhalla Wilderness Society, Transboundary Watershed Alliance, West Kootenay Eco Society and West Coast Environmental Law.
"It is time to put developers on notice. Should bids be accepted to develop in parks, we will take a targeted message to the marketplace against these new operations to ensure they stay out of our Class A provincial parks," said Gwen Barlee, representative of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee.
"The tourism industry needs to move wisely on this issue," states Husband."While we will oppose new resorts in parks, the Campaign for BC Parks will work with the tourism industry and those operators who are interested in building environmentally appropriate facilities outside of parks, not inside. We all strongly oppose any new hotels and resorts in parks. We know that many tourism operators agree with this. This is not good for BC, local communities, tourism, BCs parks, or the wildlife that live there. Any threat to our world renowned parks and protected pristine wilderness will impact on our international reputation."
"With these types of developments come parking lots, staff housing, logging for fire blocks, helicopter traffic, sewage, and electricity. Can you imagine how caribou or grizzly bears will react to daily helicopter traffic taking guests and staff to the resort? How will that affect the wilderness experience? When does a park stop being a park?" said Ellen Zimmerman of Wildsight.
"British Columbians love their parks, they want the wilderness in parks to be protected, not blighted by resorts," says Chloe OLoughlin of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. What we need is a new vision for parks where well-managed parks result in thriving communities, healthy families and fit citizens. They are a priceless natural legacy that must be looked after for generations of British Columbians to come."
"Today we are launching the Campaign for BC Parks to rally British Columbians to join us in keeping the wild beauty and natural integrity of our world class parks system for the generations to come," Husband said.
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For more information contact:
Coalition for BC Parks, Vicky Husband, spokesperson, 250-478-0388, 250-920-9355
Western Canada Wilderness Committee - Gwen Barlee, Policy Director, 604-683-8220 (w) 604-202-0322 (cell)
Friends of the Campaign for BC's Parks : http://www.savebcparks.com/
For additional information please contact:
Canada Parks and Wilderness Society BC Chapter, Chloe O'Loughlin, Ex. Director, 604-685-7445
David Suzuki Foundation Bill Wareham, 604-732-4228 extension 223
EarthCare Society, Lloyd Manchester, Executive Director, 250-712-9713, 250- 878-9352
Federation of BC Naturalists, Bev Ramey, President, 604-224-7689
Sierra Club of Canada BC Chapter, Lisa Matthaus, Acting Executive Director, 250-888-6267
Transboundary Watershed Alliance, Nola Poirier, BC Campaigner, 604-812-4804
Valhalla Wilderness Society - Anne Sherrod, 250-358-2610
West Coast Environmental Law, Jessica Clogg, Acting Executive Director, 604-601-2501
West Kootenay Eco Society, Matt Lowe, 250-352-6346
Wildsight, Ellen Zimmerman, Program Manager, 250-348-2225
World Wildlife Fund Canada, Dr, Chris Elliott, Regional Vice President, 604-678-5152
CPAWS - British Columbia Chapter