Echo Lake Provincial Park east of Vernon will be expanding by 65 hectares, thanks to an amendment to the province's protected areas act.
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October 08, 2021 - 7:00 PM
Echo Lake Provincial Park east of Vernon will be expanding by 65 hectares, thanks to an amendment to the province's protected areas act.
The addition will provide protection of the riparian area around the lake by protecting the water’s edge and all its specialized plants, an area critical for trout breeding and feeding, according to NDP caucus release.
“We’re adding more area to the park, including foreshore, to protect crucial fish habitat and ensure this park and all the species that rely on it are around for generations to continue enjoying,” Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu in the release. “Whether it’s for a swim, paddle, or to catch trout or kokanee, people in the Okanagan love getting out to Echo Lake to spend the day."
With the passing of Bill 17 – 2021: Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, the total area of Echo Lake Provincial Park will be 219 hectares.
The bill is also adding more than 2,258 hectares to nine existing provincial parks and one conservancy across B.C. These consist of a combination of private land acquisitions, Crown land and foreshore additions.
"We are expanding and strengthening our parks and protected areas system to ensure these special places will be here for our children and grandchildren," Environment Minister George Heyman said in a media release.
For a summary of B.C. parks and protected areas go here.
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