Province Adding To Shoreline Parks

Good news from the Legislature! (And I'm so glad to be able to say that...) On Thursday March 13, a bill was introduced by Environment Minister Mary Polak that will add 55,000 hectares to parks in British Columbia. I haven't had a chance to read the text of the bill yet, but the parts quoted in the Times-Colonist newspaper look pretty darned good, so check them out!

Map showing three of the new parks additions -- from the Times-Colonist newspaper article.

Some of the additions are to marine parks along the waters between Vancouver Island and the mainland. One change at Campbell River loses ten hectares so that city can redevelop its water system. Other changes take into consideration First Nations needs for water access and traditional use. It's a start, though as the NDP environment critic Spencer Chandra Herbert says, the budget for BC Parks has gone down so they'll have to do more maintenance with less money.