NEWS RELEASE, September 24, 2009, Ministry of Environment

PENTICTON - The B.C. government introduced legislation today that will lead to the establishment of a new Skaha Bluffs provincial park announced Penticton MLA Bill Barisoff.

"This legislation is one more important step in securing the long-term future of this incredible site," said Barisoff. "The entire South Okanagan region will continue to see enhanced economic benefits from this great natural attraction that also promotes a healthy lifestyle through improved access to the outdoors. We still have a few small hurdles to accomplish, but this is a great day for our region."

At an initial size of 179 hectares, the new Skaha Bluffs Park will protect a popular climbing area and important wildlife habitat. Parking and access to the park will be easier now that Phase One of the new parking area and access road have been completed. The Ministry of Environment, in partnership with several groups including The Land Conservancy of BC, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Mountain Equipment Co-op, purchased an adjoining 304 hectares last year to improve access. This land will be added to the park in the future.

"I've had the chance to hike in the area a number of times, and it's gorgeous," said Environment Minister Barry Penner. "The Ministry of Environment worked with numerous partners to acquire the various lands that are being protected in this legislation. These 111,000 hectares of land are part of the legacy of protected green space that we leave for future generations."

Bill 10, the Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act (PABC), 2009, establishes one new Class A park and one new ecological reserve, as well as adding purchased land to seven Class "A" provincial parks. It also enacts nine new conservancies covering more than 111,000 hectares recently established by Order in Council. Adding these areas to the act will give them full legislative protection.

Today, more than 14 per cent (or 13.5 million hectares) of British Columbia is protected - more than any other province in Canada.

If the legislature passes Bill 10, since 2001 the B.C. government will have established 58 new parks, 143 conservancies, two ecological reserves and nine protected areas, and expanded approximately 60 parks and six ecological reserves, protecting more than 1.9 million hectares of additional land.

To make the BC Parks system even better, the B.C. government has invested approximately $107 million over the past five years to improve park infrastructure and acquire additional parkland.

For more information about the amendments, please visit: http://www.leg.bc.ca/legislation/index.htm.

For more information about B.C.'s provincial parks, please visit: www.bcparks.ca.

Contact: Suntanu Dalal Media Relations Ministry of Environment 250 387-9745

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