Majority want national park protection — timing is good for Province to make changes
A recent poll found that East Kootenay residents support protecting the southeastern one third of B.C.’s Flathead River Valley as a National Park Wilderness by a ratio of 2 to 1.
The poll was conducted by McAllister Opinion Research of Vancouver between October 17 and October 22. It was a random telephone sample of 638 people in the East Kootenay communities of Sparwood, Elkford, Fernie, Cranbrook and their surrounding rural areas.
Results show a majority of 60 per cent are in favour of a Flathead park, while 77 per cent feel it’s important that some areas in the region are set aside as wildlife sanctuaries where hunting and heavy industry are off-limits.
Poll highlights:
- 83% of East Kootenay residents (Moyie to Elkford) are concerned about conservation issues;
- 60% support protecting the southeastern one third of the Flathead River Valley as a National Park Wilderness and only 30% oppose it;
- 77% feel it’s important that some areas in southeastern B.C. be set aside as wildlife sanctuaries in which hunting and heavy industry are off-limits.
- The poll is accurate +/-3.9% 19 times out of 20
Opponents of a protected Flathead have claimed that East Kootenay residents are against the idea of a park, and that ‘business as usual’ is a good enough management scheme, but the poll results paint a different picture.
“Three polls in the last year have clearly shown that people here support making space for nature,” said Casey Brennan, Wildsight’s Southern Rockies Program Manager. “They want places where protecting wildlife is the highest priority and they would support government action on this in the Flathead.”
Brennan said now is an ideal time for the B.C. government to change its position on the Flathead wilderness. In September, scientists from the UN World Heritage Committee toured the area to assess what impacts mining proposals could have on the adjacent Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. “The eyes of the world are on the Flathead right now about the threats of mining, and one more local poll has shown support for a park. This is a great time to make a positive decision for wilderness in our region.
“This is an opportunity to change course—away from a land use plan that promotes resource extraction above all else toward a more balanced approach.”
Brennan said there is a three-part Flathead solution that would ensure humans and wildlife could continue to share the area. “First, complete the world’s first Peace Park—Waterton-Glacier—by including the southeastern third of the B.C. Flathead in it as a National Park Wilderness,” he said.
“Second, the Flathead watershed deserves protection as a “no mining or drilling” zone. Third, the Province needs to legislate a Wildlife Management Area that stretches from the U.S. border—including portions of the Flathead, Wigwam, Elk and Bull river valleys—to the National Parks complex of Banff, Yoho, Kootenay and Jasper.
“This would connect the southern and northern World Heritage Sites and help ensure ecosystem survival through the coming challenges of climate change.”
Brennan said the poll results should encourage decision-makers in Victoria that taking steps to protect the Flathead will benefit everybody: “Enhanced protection for this special place will benefit wildlife, people and politicians,” he said. “I’m looking forward to a better management model that reflects the current science and the actual public sentiment.”
About the Pollster:
McAllister Opinion Research is an accredited member of ESOMAR the international professional organization for market and public opinion research. – http://www.mcallister-research.com/
