Government of Canada Announces Decision on Glacier Discovery Walk Proposal Environmental Assessment
(firmenpresse) - OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 02/09/12 -- Editor's note: There is a photo associated with this press release.
Today, the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the decision to move forward with negotiations with Brewster Travel Canada's proposal for a Glacier Discovery Walk project on the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park. The Glacier Discovery Walk project will be subject to mitigation measures identified through the environmental assessment process.
"The Glacier Discovery Walk represents an innovative and accessible way for visitors of all ages and abilities to have a state-of the-art experience, 'a view from the edge' of the landscape," said Minister Kent. "Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the geography, geology, glaciology, the environment and Aboriginal history of the area. I am pleased to announce the approval of this exciting new project."
Parks Canada's determination was made following a robust review process which included open houses and an extensive public and aboriginal engagement program, as well as close examination of potential environmental effects and careful consideration of public comment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The project will now proceed to the next steps in the development review process, including lease negotiations and construction agreement.
"I am happy to report to my constituents in Yellowhead, and all Canadians that following an extensive environmental impact assessment, the Glacier Discovery Walk in Jasper National Park has been approved," said the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, Alberta. "We are proud of this new exciting way for visitors from across Canada and around the world to experience the amazing vistas and learn about our unique ecological and cultural heritage while promoting economic activity and jobs in Jasper and the surrounding areas."
The Brewster Travel Canada Glacier Discovery Walk Proposal meets the goals identified in the strategic concept for the Icefields Parkway, respects the approved management plans for Banff and Jasper national parks and addresses associated environmental and visitor experience issues.
The Icefields Parkway opened in 1940 as a scenic road for the use and pleasure of national park visitors. The Glacier Discovery Walk will be constructed on a previously disturbed, existing right-of-way for the Icefields Parkway and represents a unique and permissible development in a front country area of the park. As a world leader in conservation, Parks Canada would not approve this project if it were to cause significant adverse environmental effects.
"Our mountain parks draw people from all around the globe to enjoy the unparalleled beauty of our province of Alberta. And it is enhanced opportunities for visitor experiences, such as the Glacier Discovery Walk, that will help to keep them coming back again and again," said Blake Richards, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose, Alberta, which includes Banff National Park. "As the chairman of Parliament's Tourism Caucus, I am excited by the opportunities for expanded tourism and a better knowledge of the natural history of our national parks that this project represents."
"A major challenge in Canada's national parks is to manage development in order to protect the area for future generations, while offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy and understand the national parks," Minister Kent added. "During the public consultation process, we heard from many Canadians representing many perspectives. We recognize and appreciate the passion all Canadians feel for our national parks."
Minister Kent thanked Brewster Travel Canada for their work in developing this proposal for consideration. For over 120 years, Brewster has been a valued partner in presenting outstanding visitor experiences and learning opportunities in Canada's mountain national parks to Canadians and visitors from around the world.
This decision also supports the Government's Federal Tourism Strategy, which helps encourage the development of exceptional tourism experiences and inspire the world to explore Canada.
The Icefields Parkway in Banff and Jasper national parks is an iconic feature and part of one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected natural areas in the world. Parks Canada is committed to ensuring Canada's special places are presented and protected for the enjoyment, education and appreciation of all Canadians, today and in the future.
For more information on Jasper National Park, visit .
BACKGROUNDER
Glacier Discovery Walk Project on the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park
Our national parks represent the very best that Canada has to offer and are iconic destinations that form the cornerstone of the Canadian tourism industry. The Icefields Parkway is a very special place - part of the Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site - and Parks Canada is committed to ensuring it remains that way.
The Icefields Parkway opened in 1940 as a scenic road for the use and pleasure of national park visitors. Each year, more than 1.5 million people make the Parkway part of their visit to Canada's mountain national parks.
In 2009, Parks Canada worked with an advisory group - made up of a broad range of stakeholders including environmental, tourism and First Nation representatives - to develop a vision for improved visitor experiences, learning opportunities and protection of the ecology and cultural history of the Icefields Parkway. That strategic concept was included in the public consultation and eventually approved as part of the 2010 management plans for both Banff and Jasper national parks.
The approved strategic concept laid out a vision for the Icefields Parkway at its future best that provided visitors with quality experiences and learning opportunities that allow them to connect with their surroundings and gain insights into the area's ecological and cultural heritage.
The strategic concept for the Icefields Parkway sought to identify opportunities that could position this iconic drive at its future best. While most visitors only experience the Parkway from their vehicles, stopping occasionally to admire the view, this project fulfills one of the concept's goals to provide visitors, regardless of their outdoor skills or physical abilities, with an opportunity to safely view the edge of the park's wilderness. It focuses on short, safe, high-quality opportunities for recreation and learning without leaving the Parkway too far behind.
The Glacier Discovery Walk presents a new and intriguing opportunity that meets the goals identified in the strategic concept for the Icefields Parkway, respects the approved management plans for Banff and Jasper national parks and addresses associated environment issues.
The Brewster Travel Canada Glacier Discovery Walk proposal will provide new visitor opportunities and learning experiences that contribute to the achievement of the direction provided in the park management plan for the Icefields Parkway - which was developed with public participation.
The proposal is consistent with land use zoning provisions for the Park and does not intrude into the lands managed as declared wilderness area. The project will utilize an already developed viewpoint and involves no incremental development such as new staff accommodation, transportation nodes, or maintenance facilities as it is supported by the Brewster operations at the Icefield Centre.
There is no question that public access to the Mount Kitchener/Sunwapta Canyon viewpoint will change under the proposal, in terms of access by private vehicles and convenience. However, Parks Canada is of the opinion that the potential merits of the new experience, with the continued, but modified opportunity for free access to the viewpoint, compensate for these changes. In addition, two other public viewpoints exist in the immediate area (Stutfield Glacier and Tangle Falls) as well as a number of other viewpoints in the broader vicinity, including the Icefield Centre itself.
Approval of the environmental assessment for the Glacier Discovery Walk proposal does not signal a change in Parks Canada's policies concerning commercial development, nor does it trigger other developments in Jasper National Park or other national parks. An important consideration is that the proposal will utilize an existing developed viewpoint in the front country, and does not create a new developed footprint. The project will now proceed to the next steps in the development review process, including lease negotiations and construction agreement.
The environmental assessment process under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act played an important role in identifying, analysing, and avoiding or mitigating any potential environmental effects of the project on the Park.
Each national park of Canada has a framework for managing growth and development through the park management planning process and land use zoning, which are aligned with the mandate, legislation, national policies, and objectives of Parks Canada. The approved management plan for Jasper National Park sets out specific limits to commercial growth and development, and provides directions to enhance visitor experiences and learning opportunities while ensuring that ecological integrity is maintained or improved. Under the management plan, more than 97% of the Park land base is managed as declared wilderness area with no roads and only basic facilities permissible.
Parks Canada administers many lease and license of occupation agreements and business licenses in Jasper National Park, whereby lessees, license holders and operators deliver services and programs to visitors as a key means of achieving Parks Canada's mandate of fostering public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of our natural and cultural heritage. Visitors to national parks have the option to access services from business providers, and have been doing so for 126 years.
All lands in Jasper National Park remain under the ownership of the people of Canada, through Parks Canada, as enshrined in law through the Canada National Parks Act. For more than a century, Parks Canada has been working with a range of partners to offer memorable visitor experiences while respecting the ecological and cultural integrity of the national parks and World Heritage Site in which it exists.
BACKGROUNDER
Parks Canada Conservation Results in Canada's Mountain National Parks
Restoring Important Ecosystem Processes:
Fish Culverts:
Highway Mitigation Work, Parks Canada's International Leadership:
Trans-Canada Highway Twinning Project, Banff National Park
Highway 93 South, Kootenay National Park
The Bow Valley Parkway (Action Plan):
Invasive Species Management:
Railway Mitigation:
Devon Lakes Restoration Project:
Prescribed Fire:
Action to protect Iconic Species:
Consultation on Plains Bison Re-introduction in Banff National Park:
The first priority for national parks is to restore and maintain healthy ecosystems for the benefit of Canadians now and into the future, that's why we are consulting with stakeholders, First Nations and Canadians regarding the potential re-introduction of bison to Banff National Park.
Other bison-related leadership:
Wolverine Research:
Grizzly Bears:
Whitebark Pine restoration:
The Banff Springs Snail:
Cutthroat Trout:
Caribou:
To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link:
Contacts:
Adam Sweet
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Parks Canada
819-953-8371
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Datum: 09.02.2012 - 10:49 Uhr
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