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April 11, 2013
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Donation of land sets record milestone
Flood prep urged in some areas Judie Steeves STAFF REPORTER
Central Okanagan creeks are rising and those who experienced some flooding last year are warned it would be wise to take precautions this year. Central Okanagan emergency services coordinator Jason Brolund says the winter snowmelt is about three weeks ahead this year, while last year’s was late, after a cool and rainy spring. However, there is 16 per cent more snow than average in the Mission Creek watershed, which is the largest single contributor of runoff into Okanagan Lake. Coupled with heavy rain and warm temperatures, that could lead to flooding again this year, but without the rain and warmer temperatures, snow could melt and run off without incident over the next six to eight weeks, he said. At this point, it’s all weather dependent, he said. If temperatures are above normal and we have more than 15 to 20 millimetres in a 24-hour period, then people should be prepared for flooding if they are in a zone that’s flood-prone, he said. Last year was a good gauge of whether you can expect to have flooding— those who did experience it then, should be prepared.
Wade Paterson STAFF REPORTER
MACHINERY RAVAGED…
JUDIE STEEVES/CAPITAL NEWS
Jennifer French, coordinator for Science Opportunities for Kids, shows plant ecology student Kate Short where bushes were ripped out of the ground by heavy machinery in a Glenmore ravine slated for parkland. See story on A19.
More than 324 hectares of land along the south slopes will be protected for generations thanks to the Central Okanagan’s largest individual land donation. The land will become the Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park. With several members of the Johns family in attendance, regional board chairman Robert Hobson made the announcement at Cedar Creek Community Centre Wednesday. “As a result of the generosity of (the Johns), we’ve spent about 20 years working toward the acquisition with the Central Okanagan Land Trust, the regional district and other individuals in the community,” said Hobson. He noted regional staff has yet to discover a larger individual land donation in provincial history. About 20 years ago, Johns siblings Nancy and Alf contacted the COLT with the idea of bequeathing their properties, which total more than 300 hectares. Since 1993, the regional district has been working with COLT on agreements for the gifting and leasing of the properties that would eventually see the environmentally significant lands protected. Nancy passed away in 2002, but it wasn’t until Alf passed in the spring of 2011 that the remaining two parcels bequeathed to the COLT were made available to the regional district. The market value of the donated land is estimated at nearly $8 million. The newly established parkland will remain closed until a park management plan is prepared and trails are formally developed. “Part of that management plan will be how we reforest the area,” said Hobson. He also noted the nature conservancy will be an area of passive recreation. “We’ll build a significant trail network through it. There will probably be some education long-term as well—that’s something we do a lot in our parks. This is a good place to learn about the impacts of fire and succession, so we’ll continue to provide that.” President of COLT, Barry Jones, said the creation of the new regional park is a good example of how government and non-government organizations can work together to conserve natural heritage and protect biodiversity. Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson also an-
See Land A20
See Areas A20
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