Jasper National Park’s 2010 management plan is now an official document.

The massive document, which indicates the direction of the park for the next 10 years, was tabled in parliament on June 15, transforming it into an official public document and replacing the previous plan, approved in 2000.

During the writing process, there was much debate about the nature of the new management plan. Many tourism operators praised the document for its recognition of visitor experience, while some environmental groups worried the language is not strong enough to protect the park’s ecological resources.

The plan identifies five areas to address: planning and partnership, visitor experience, education and outreach and protection.

Jasper National Park Superintendent Greg Fenton said the new document will help guide the park while it attempts to connect with Canadians, and enhance opportunities for visitors. He said first and foremost, the park’s ecology will be protected in the new management plan, which specifically identifies caribou, elk and maintaining ecological integrity (through targetting invasive species and waterway connectivity) as key components of the plan.

“All of the very strong conservation efforts that have taken place in the past are still in this plan,” Fenton said.

The plan is a significant for First Nations groups as well, as the desire for increased aboriginal presence runs throughout the document. Since 2004, Parks Canada has consulted with elders with ties to the area through the Jasper aboriginal forum. Fenton said it’s important that traditional territories are protected, youth and elders feel safe to return to the park, and the presentation and preservation of the Mobery homested is respected.

Fenton said this is the first management plan that sets out the relationships between Parks Canada and aboriginal groups.

The management plan also states Parks Canada’s goal to increase visitation in Jasper National Park by two per cent annually. Currently, about two million visitors come to the park per year, and Fenton says there is more opportunity for urban Canadians to come to Jasper. Currently, visitation is increasing by about one per cent per year.

“The need to increase visitation is linked to connecting Canadians to National Parks,” Fenton said, noting that ensuring JNP remains relevant to Canadians helped push the desire to bring more people to Jasper.

“We want to increase the number of visitors, but not to the detriment of the environment,” Fenton said.

The management plan also breaks the park into several distinct regions, such as Mount Edith Cavell, the Three Valley Confluence and the Icefields Parkway. These areas will have specific plans to target visitor experience, resource protection and public education.

The new plan also has greater performance metrics, Fenton said, which will allow its success to be easily measured.

“We have the ability to report on successes,” Fenton said.

The management plan will be linked to the town of Jasper’s sustainability plan, which came before council this week, and will also need to be tabled in parliament.

The document is available online for public perusal online at www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/jasper/plan.aspx.