Planning for Yoho National Park s Future. Public Input into the Yoho National Park Management Plan Review

Transcription

1 Planning fr Yh Natinal Park s Future Public Input int the Yh Natinal Park Management Plan Review June 2010

2 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS THE CONTEXT 3 PARK MANAGEMENT PLANS 3 PURPOSE OF THE PLAN REVIEW 3 SHAPING THE PARK MANAGEMENT PLANS 4 THE PLAN REVIEW PROCESS 5 THE PUBLIC RESPONSE 6 THE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARKS 6 YOHO NATIONAL PARK 6 WHAT WE HEARD 7 WHAT WE HEARD: ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, STEWARDSHIP, TARGETS AND INDICATORS 7 WHAT S IN THE PLAN 8 WHAT WE HEARD: ABOUT VISITOR EXPERIENCE, VISITATION QUANTITY/QUALITY, AND AUDIENCES 8 WHAT S IN THE PLAN 9 WHAT WE HEARD: ABOUT NEW RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SPECIAL EVENTS 10 WHAT S IN THE PLAN 10 WHAT WE HEARD: ABOUT CULTURAL HERITAGE 11 WHAT S IN THE PLAN 11 WHAT WE HEARD: ABOUT DEVELOPMENT AND THE COMMUNITY OF FIELD 12 WHAT S IN THE PLAN 12 WHAT WE HEARD: ABOUT ZONING AND DECLARED WILDERNESS 13 WHAT S IN THE PLAN 13 WHAT WE HEARD: ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS AND TRANS-BOUNDARY MATTERS 14 WHAT S IN THE PLAN 14

3 3 THE CONTEXT PARK MANAGEMENT PLANS By legislatin, every natinal park must have a plan that guides management f the park fr public enjyment and appreciatin in ways that leave it unimpaired fr future generatins. Each park management plan reflects Parks Canada s natinal directin and prvides a park-specific rad map fr delivering n the cre elements f Parks Canada s mandate visitr experience, public understanding and awareness, and heritage resurce prtectin. Park management plans have a 15-year lifespan, with reviews at 5 year intervals. Each new and amended park management plan must be apprved by the federal minister respnsible fr natinal parks and tabled in Parliament. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN REVIEW In 2009/10, the management plans fr the seven muntain natinal parks (Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Ktenay, Munt Revelstke, Watertn Lakes, and Yh) were reviewed at the same time, as they have many cmmn issues which ften require c-rdinated respnses. These parks are als enjyed by many f the same visitrs. Based n nging stakehlder dialgue and mnitring f key management indicatrs, Parks Canada determined that the strategies in the previus plans remained valid and their implementatin shuld cntinue t be a pririty. Fr that reasn, updates t the plans include changes that: integrate previus directin n eclgical integrity with new cntent that identifies pprtunities and directin fr visitr experience and educatin; reflect new crprate directin (e.g. new indicatrs and measures, recvery plans fr Species At Risk); incrprate new knwledge (e.g. revised grizzly bear mrtality targets, psychgraphics f target audiences); prvide mre clarity and cntext (e.g. cmmn visin, directin fr special events and ptential new activities); strengthen the existing area apprach t achieve integrated delivery f Parks Canada s mandate and ensure that visitr experience, heritage resurce prtectin and learning pprtunities are mutually supprtive; and

4 4 reflect decisins that have been made r advice develped thrugh ther public participatin prcesses since the previus plan reviews. SHAPING THE PARK MANAGEMENT PLANS Ultimately the care, maintenance and future f all natinal parks rests in the hands f Canadians; cnsequently their views and values play a key rle in shaping each park s management plan. Public perspectives were determined thrugh a tw-stage public participatin and scial research prgram. Stage 1 f the prgram cnsisted f reviewing all at-hand infrmatin abut each park frm a wide range f surces including: scientific research, State f the Park reprts, marketing analysis and s n. Additinally, public input abut pssible plan amendments was gathered via nline surveys, fcus grups, planning frums, stakehlder meetings, crrespndence frm the public, and an interactive nline website. All surces f infrmatin were then used t develp the draft plans, which were prvided nline. Stage 2 f the prgram fcused n public review f, and cmment, n the draft plans. A wide variety f methds were used t slicit this input including: meetings, wrkshps, pen huses, letters and s received frm the public, and additinal surveys. Particular effrt was made in each park t reach all f the stakehlder grups with a declared r ptential interest in the park s future and its management. This included First Natins grups. Alng with public cmments and scial research, the final park management plans were als infrmed by: The Canada Natinal Parks Act, ther relevant federal legislatin, and Parks Canada plicy; new scientific infrmatin abut natural resurces; infrmatin abut current and emerging scial trends; scial and envirnmental changes in adjacent lands and their management; changes in the park eclgy and visitatin since the last review; and gvernment decisins.

5 5 THE PLAN REVIEW PROCESS The Plan Review Cntext Muntain Park Visin Canada Natinal Parks Act Other federal legislatin Parks Canada plicy and guidelines fr Management Planning New scientific infrmatin Current and emerging scial trends Changes in adjacent lands and their management Changes in park eclgy Changes in visitatin Gvernment decisins Public Invlvement Prgram Stage 1 Draft Park Management Plan Public Invlvement Prgram Stage 2 Final Plan (fr Ministerial Apprval)

6 6 THE PUBLIC RESPONSE THE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARKS Public interest in the management plan review was strng, cming frm acrss the cuntry and acrss the wrld. By the end f the tw-stage prgram cmments frm dzens f rganizatins and thusands f individuals had been read and cnsidered by the planning team. This feedback led t a final plan that allws each park t fulfil its ptential within Canada s system f prtected areas, and cntinue t be a place where generatins f Canadians can cnnect with each ther and with the landscape. YOHO NATIONAL PARK This dcument summarizes the public participatin respnse and public cmment themes received during the management plan review fr Yh and hw these cmments influenced the apprved management plan. Stage 1 f the public participatin prgram fr the Yh Management Plan ccurred frm March September Mst f the input received was frm Field, the Clumbia Valley and Bw Valley regin, with a small percentage cming frm further afield. Cmments addressed rughly 30 tpics. Stage 2 f the public participatin prgram fr the Yh Management Plan ccurred frm Octber 2009 January Again, mst f the feedback came frm Field, the Clumbia Valley and the Bw Valley regin. Cmments addressed rughly 55 tpics, with mst frequent mentin f tpics within the fllwing six categries: Envirnmental prtectin, stewardship, targets and indicatrs; Visitr experience, visitatin quantity / quality, and target audiences; New recreatinal activities and special events; Cultural Heritage; Develpment and the Cmmunity f Field; and Zning and declared wilderness.

7 7 Virtually every sectin f the plan was influenced by public cmments, cntributing t a plan that: has a cmpelling, inclusive visin f Yh s future within the natinal park system and the brader landscape; captures the unique rle and ptential f Yh, and prvides real strategies fr fulfilling that rle and ptential; truly integrates prtectin f heritage resurces, with visitr experience, and public awareness and educatin; and defines a clear path t success (with actins) and accuntability fr prgress with clear indicatrs, measures and actins. WHAT WE HEARD WHAT WE HEARD: ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, STEWARDSHIP, TARGETS AND INDICATORS... Supprt fr better articulatin and integratin f envirnmental prtectin as an ver-riding principle thrughut the plan, and fr clear indicatrs fr ecsystem restratin and maintenance that are linked t mnitring, reprting, and research. Cncern regarding the ptential effects n the park s ecsystem f prpsals fr increased attendance and measures t enhance visitr experience. Supprt fr effrts t reduce wildlife mrtality n the Trans Canada Highway and Canadian Pacific railway. Supprt fr ecsystem restratin activities, particularly effrts aimed at restring fire t the landscape in the Kicking Hrse Valley, and imprving aquatic cnnectivity. Supprt fr the prtectin f the wilderness character and undisturbed natural areas within the park such as Ice, Ottertail and Amiskwi valleys. Supprt fr stewardship bjectives, with suggestins fr: new educatinal r visitr experience prducts that fcus n stewardship r the science f the Burgess Shale; mre active prmtin f leave n trace prgram in public cmmunicatins; and strnger leadership by Parks Canada with respect t envirnmental stewardship. Supprt fr the restratin f previusly-disturbed areas such as at the west end f Field, with sme suggestin that Parks Canada culd be mre ambitius in its restratin effrts.

8 8 Cncern abut the lack f references t climate change. WHAT S IN THE PLAN Clear references t the Canada Natinal Parks Act including the directin that the maintenance r restratin f eclgical integrity shall be the first pririty when cnsidering all aspects f the management f the park. Integratin f eclgical prtectin measures int visitr experience planning and prgrams. Directin t prfile emerging knwledge and understanding f the Burgess Shale by encuraging further research and wrking with the Ryal Ontari Museum and thers t create virtual experiences and explaining the imprtance f prtecting this imprtant feature. Cntinuity f key directin fr restring r maintaining eclgical integrity frm the previus plan, strengthened with new bjectives and actins. Highlights include: restring fire t the landscape in rder t imprve frest health, reduce large wildfire risk in the Kicking Hrse River Valley and prvide imprtant wildlife habitat; restring cnnectivity f aquatic ecsystems; restring disturbed sites such as ld rad alignments and residence sites near Yh s west gate and depleted prtins f the Ottertail pit; and reducing wildlife mrtality alng the Trans Canada Highway and Canadian Pacific rail line. The vast majrity f the park will cntinue t be prtected in a natural state as a declared wilderness area. A revised perfrmance management framewrk. The selected measures and indicatrs are cnsistent with thse used t reprt n verall crprate perfrmance f the Agency, as well as thse that will be used in the next State f the Park Reprt. New directin t increase knwledge f the ptential impacts f climate change, and t begin develping adaptatin strategies. WHAT WE HEARD: ABOUT VISITOR EXPERIENCE, VISITATION QUANTITY / QUALITY, AND AUDIENCES... Supprt fr effrts t increase the relevance f natinal parks, fr enhanced and new visitr pprtunities related t the Burgess Shale, and fr effrts t imprve the sense f arrival and welcme. Suggestins that Parks Canada shuld prvide leadership in prmting the visitr pprtunities in and arund the cmmunity f Field. Supprt frm many fr the prpsed 2% annual increase in park visitatin, and queries frm thers regarding the ratinale fr the (2%) number.

9 9 Cncerns that mre visitrs may: stress the park envirnment bth directly and indirectly, detract frm the experience f thse already visiting, (especially at lcatins near capacity in summer such as Emerald Lake), and be difficult t recncile with eclgical bjectives. Encuragement t fcus effrts n updating and renewing existing infrastructure in rder t enhance the visitr experiences. There was als supprt fr the cncept f clustering recreatinal pprtunities at places such as the west end f the park and at Kicking Hrse Pass. Supprt fr shrt strlling ptins adjacent t the cmmunity f Field, especially fr families. Encuragement t take advantage f the exceptinal winter pprtunities available in Yh, particularly in the Emerald Lake, Field, and Kicking Hrse Pass areas f the park. WHAT S IN THE PLAN Public awareness, understanding and supprt fr natinal parks is critical t achieving Parks Canada s envirnmental gals. This awareness and supprt is mst effectively achieved by encuraging Canadians t visit natinal parks and t frm persnal cnnectins with them. The Canadian ppulatin is changing, with yung urban Canadians and new Canadians representing grwing segments f the ppulatin wh may be less familiar with natinal parks than previus generatins. The plan sets the stage fr the intrductin f new recreatinal activities in rder t meet changing visitr expectatins and attract a wider range f Canadians t the park. A targeted annual 2% increase in visitatin fr five years is in the plan, with particular emphasis n encuraging visits by residents f BC, thse n multiday trips t Banff Natinal Park and thse lking fr a less crwded r winter experience. Effrts t attract new visitrs will be targeted t key segments, such as yuth, urban and new Canadians, and drive-thrugh mtrists. Prmtinal effrts will include educatinal messages aimed at fstering stewardship and enabling visitrs t make infrmed decisins. Directin t cllabrate with cultural and natural heritage rganizatins and institutins in the Clumbia Valley, t deliver prgrams n the unique features, places, events and peple in Yh Natinal Park. Parks Canada will wrk t imprve the sense f arrival and welcme t the park, especially at the Alberta British Clumbia brder. The plan als utlines 5 types f visitr experience and describes where and hw these will be delivered, while keeping in mind the distinct characteristics and eclgical imperatives f each area. New visitr and utreach prgrams will be develped accrdingly.

10 10 Specific strategies and actins t enhance visitr experience while reducing the ptential fr disturbance f sensitive ecsystems.. Examples include investing in infrastructure in Kicking Hrse and Mnarch campgrunds fr first-time campers, intrducing inexperienced visitrs t backcuntry camping, renewing facilities at ppular day use areas, cnsidering new recreatinal activities, and enhancing view frm the edge experiences in the Yh Valley and cmmunity f Field. The plan als cntains directin t cnsider enhanced trail pprtunities between the cmmunity f Field and Emerald Lake, fr bth visitr experience and eclgical benefits. Emphasis n enhancing and prmting the winter experience in Yh, in cllabratin with thers in Field and Lake Luise. Actins include explring the ptential f additinal track-set trails and the feasibility f warm-up shelters. WHAT WE HEARD: ABOUT NEW RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SPECIAL EVENTS... Supprt frm many fr the willingness t cnsider new activities and special events as a means f generating new visits and cnnecting with nntraditinal audiences. General supprt fr small r medium-sized events, and lng-standing recreatinal activities that: are deemed cnsistent with the park s histrical uses, prtect the envirnment, d nt detract frm the experience f nnparticipants r ther visitrs, and enhance bth visitr experience and learning. Cncern abut ptential new activities with respect t their authenticity (fr a natinal park), ptential develpment requirements, impacts n the experience f nn-participants, and ptential (r lack f) t create meaningful, authentic park experiences. Aerial sprts, such as hang gliding and paragliding were the nly new activities that were specifically requested. Supprt fr imprved access, pprtunities and facilities fr recreatinalists engaging in currently apprved activities (i.e. paddlers, trail riding grups and cyclists f all srts) befre cnsidering new activities. WHAT S IN THE PLAN Clear directin setting the stage fr exceptinal experiences by ffering a cmprehensive range f pprtunities based n five types f visitr experience. Cnsidering the distinct characteristics and eclgical imperatives f each area in the park (eg. Emerald Lake, the cmmunity f Field, Yh

11 11 Valley), the plan als cntains descriptins f hw and where these prgrams and prducts will be best delivered. Flexibility t cnsider the intrductin f new recreatinal activities and special events t Yh Natinal Park in rder t respnd t the changing demgraphics f Canada. Prviding pprtunities fr Canadians t cnnect t their muntain heritage is fundamental t building supprt fr the lng-term prtectin f these special places. Examples include pprtunities t differentiate Yh thrugh celebratin f its railway and muntaineering histry, and as an icnic winter destinatin. Prpsals fr events r recreatinal activities may riginate frm within Parks Canada r frm an external prpnent. New activities will first be assessed at a natinal level. Prvisins fr cnsidering new activities and events that supprt all elements f the Parks Canada mandate, and align with Parks Canada s brand and management plan bjectives. New activities and events will be subject t lcal assessment prir t decisins abut their intrductin. WHAT WE HEARD: ABOUT CULTURAL HERITAGE... Strng supprt fr effrts t prtect and present the cultural heritage f the park. Particular interest was expressed in the Yh mining histry, histric fire lkuts, and the Wrld War I internment camp. Supprt fr the cncept f a heritage crridr and cultural landscape linking Kicking Hrse Pass with Rgers Pass. Cncern related t a perceived lack f Abriginal cntent in the plan, and the imprtance f cmmunicating this unique heritage. WHAT S IN THE PLAN Clear directin t enhance prmtin f cultural heritage in the park. The fcus has been bradened t include reference t the park s rle in the Canadian Rcky Muntain Parks Wrld Heritage Site. The Kicking Hrse Pass t the Last Spike Cultural Landscape has been wven int several parts f the Yh plan, and will be pursued. This crridr encmpassing Yh, Glacier and Munt Revelstke natinal parks, Kicking Hrse Pass, Rgers Pass and Eagle Pass natinal histric sites, and the cmmunities f Field, Glden, Revelstke and Craigellachie captures a unique sense f place assciated with the evlving relatinship between peple and the land. In cllabratin with thers Parks Canada will wrk t bring this cultural landscape t life as a unique cultural heritage attractin.

12 12 Additinal references t wrking with Abriginal peple, in rder t dcument and present their culture and relatinship t the land, and t supprt access t the park fr traditinal spiritual and ceremnial purpses. WHAT WE HEARD: ABOUT DEVELOPMENT AND THE COMMUNITY OF FIELD... Supprt fr Parks Canada s cntinued cmmitment t maintain a strng presence in Field, accmpanied by suggestins that Parks Canada needs t wrk harder t supprt the cmmunity by having mre staff live and wrk in Field, and assisting with prmtin and marketing. Cncern ver lack f actins in the draft plan aimed at securing wildlife mvement thrugh and arund the twn. Suggestins that Parks Canada needs t remve bstacles t cmmercial develpment, s that the lts zned as cmmercial can be develped in rder t imprve services. Supprt fr clear mentin f the special rle f the cmmunity as a staging area fr visitr experiences in the natinal park. Cncerns abut ptential new cmmercial develpments n park land. WHAT S IN THE PLAN The plan recnfirms the cmmunity bundary and the limits t cmmercial and residential grwth that are established in the Field Cmmunity Plan. Parks Canada intends t release additinal lts fr cmmercial develpment, cnsistent with the zning cntained in the cmmunity plan. Parks Canada will encurage future develpment that respects the character f the cmmunity and its lcatin in the natinal park. The plan cnfirms Parks Canada s cmmitment t maintain administrative facilities in Field. The plan als includes directin t supprt marketing and prmtinal effrts aimed at raising awareness f the range f pprtunities available in and arund Field and Yh Natinal Park. Winter pprtunities will be a particular fcus f this prmtin. The management plan cnfirms the imprtance f maintaining wildlife mvement arund the cmmunity f Field. Significant actins were undertaken as part f the implementatin f the Field Cmmunity Plan, including remving the frmer trailer curt and recreatin centre. The cmmunity bundaries were als reduced t reflect the remval f this infrastructure. The updated plan references these bundaries. N additinal restratin actins in the wildlife crridr arund Field are envisined at this time.

13 13 The plan cmmits t the cntinued implementatin f the Field Cmmunity Plan and the Redevelpment Guidelines fr Outlying Cmmercial Accmmdatins and Hstels in the Rcky Muntain Natinal Parks in rder t cntribute t the maintenance f eclgical integrity and the sustainability f the cmmunity and utlying cmmercial accmmdatins. The plan emphasizes the imprtance f carefully managed grwth and develpment. Develpments t supprt new recreatinal activities that help t deliver the mandate will be cnsidered where negative impacts can be avided r mitigated. New develpments n park land may be at least partially ffset by restratin f previusly disturbed areas WHAT WE HEARD: ABOUT ZONING AND DECLARED WILDERNESS... Widespread supprt fr the prtectin f large wilderness areas in the park, and fr recgnitin f sensitive sites and special preservatin areas. Cncern abut cell twers, new facilities in the backcuntry, gravel extractin, r any ther actin that requires altering the designated wilderness area bundaries. Suggestins that any prpsed changes t declared wilderness areas shuld be cnsulted upn specifically and separately, s the public can respnd t the detailed prpsals rather than the ntinal cncepts. Supprt fr the develpment f cell twers in rder t imprve visitr safety. Sme supprt fr alternate energy if used n a small scale t reduce envirnmental impacts f energy generatin. WHAT S IN THE PLAN As part f its stewardship cmmitment, Parks Canada will lk at the benefits and disadvantages f reducing energy cnsumptin, in bth public and cmmercial facilities, including thse in the backcuntry; hwever any prpsals must preserve the wilderness aesthetic and the experiences f visitrs. Further, public cnsultatin will be cnducted if any changes t Declared Wilderness Area bundaries are cnsidered during the life f the plan. The ptential fr using technlgy t enhance visitr experiences is recgnized in the plan such as educatinal messages fr visitrs travelling thrugh the park and the capability fr cntact in emergencies, but any ptential changes must als prvide envirnmental benefits and aesthetic imprvements. A lng term gravel supply plan will be develped fr the park.

14 14 WHAT WE HEARD: ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS AND TRANS-BOUNDARY MATTERS... Supprt fr strnger references t hw Yh Natinal Park is psitined within the brader landscape, its reginal rle, and hw Parks Canada will wrk with cmmunities and agencies utside its bundaries t achieve its gals and demnstrate leadership in key areas. Specific suggestins regarding ptential partnership pprtunities and prjects fr Parks Canada with varius rganizatins. WHAT S IN THE PLAN Strengthened references t the park s rle as part f a reginal ecsystem and t the park s many partners. Specific mentin f Parks Canada s cmmitment t reginal initiatives and partners such the cmmunity f Field, Friends f Yh, Ryal Ontari Museum and the Burgess Shale Gescience Fundatin.