Development plans threatening Banff and Jasper National Parks
Mirror image. This view of a grizzlies' pad shows how closely the bear's footprint resembles that of a human Photograph courtesy of Alberta Environmental Protection
Island effect. If wilderness areas are too small and isolated from each other, the genetic health and adaptability of grizzly bears is compromised. Photo: Wayne Lynch
Pillaging the land. Resource extraction fragments habitat, displaces bears and opens areas to hunters and poachers. Photo: Chris Bruun
The National Parks Act states:
- "The National Parks of Canada are hereby dedicated to the people of Canada for their benefit, education and enjoyment... the National Parks shall be maintained and made use of so as to leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."
- "Maintenance of ecological integrity through the protection of natural resources shall be the first priority when considering park zoning and visitor use in a management plan."
The National Parks Policy states:
- "Due to the amount of land they require and the need for intense manipulation of natural regimes, no new golf courses will be constructed in National Parks and expansions of existing golf courses will not be considered." The Banff-Bow Valley Study is currently examining commercial developments' ecological impacts on the region. A moratorium restricts any new development for the duration of the study.
But the following Canadian Pacific Hotels' developments are exempt from the moratorium:
- an additional 200 guest rooms and increased staff housing at the Banff Springs Hotel, along with nine more holes of golf for a total of 36 holes
- a convention centre, new tennis courts and new staff housing for Chateau Lake Louise
Other development plans include:
- eighteen more holes of golf, 400 new hotel rooms and staff housing for the Jasper Park Lodge
- twinning the Trans-Canada Highway from Banff to Lake Louise
- a Parks Canada gravel pit
- a new ski lift at Lake Louise
- continued Banff town site residential development
"If we are to manage grizzly bears in Jasper National Park, we actually have to look at managing for grizzly bears on a larger landscape, providing corridors and connections to other grizzly populations."
- Wes Bradford, Wildlife/Human Conflict Specialist, Jasper National Park
Photo: Ken Barth
