Plan proposes changes to wilderness areas

Proposed land use changes in Jasper National Park could allow cell phone towers and small scale power generators to be used in areas currently designated as protected wilderness.

Parks Canada is proposing to “permit changes to the existing systems of utilities and communications services when those changes will improve efficiency and safety, yield environmental benefits and avoid adverse ecological and aesthetic effects that could diminish the visitor experience,” through the draft management plan.

It goes on to say Parks will consider alternative energy infrastructure “where renewable energy sources can replace existing uses of non-renewable energy.”

About 97 per cent of Jasper National Park (JNP) is considered ‘Declared Wilderness Area’ which does not allow roads, but does allow hiking trails and back country huts. It is the second highest level of protection in Jasper National Park.

While Park planner Amber Stewart explained there have been no formal applications, Parks Canada is planning for future technologies.

Stewart said there are structures currently powered by generators which could be powered by other methods, such as solar or micro hydro projects. Hypothetically, some buildings could be powered by hydro generation as opposed to fossil fuels, she said.

Catherine Shier, a conservation specialist and former executive director with Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) applauds Parks Canada staff for the plan, but said the wording in the document is much too vague. Shier is skeptical the management plan appears to be moving away from ecological integrity in favour of increased visitor experience.

“It reads like the thin edge of the wedge, so it’s hard to say... the vague nature of the plan really makes me nervous,” Shier said.

This applies to cell phone towers and power generation as well, Shier said.

“Are these small scale solar panel powered transmitters or full blown communication towers? We don’t know.”

Shier said only 8. 5 per cent of land is protected in Alberta by provincial and national parks, so almost 92 per cent of land is left for other activities. She’d rather see a clear boundary in the management plan to eliminate such confusion.

JNP’s land use planning manager Shawn Cardiff said there is no talk of changing communication in the back country, but in the past, there have been proposals to increase cell phone coverage along Highway 93. Previously, such a plan has been deemed too expensive to implement.

Potential proposals could also aid in the adaptation of alternative energy at stations in the park. He said the plan is vague, but without specific proposals, it’s difficult to put them in the plan.

“We don’t have any proposals, so it’s hypothetical. For Parks, it’s having an extra tool and the opportunity to adopt green energy,” Cardiff said.

For example, if Parks wanted to install alternative energy generation at a warden station, this change would allow them to do so.

Other changes to the wilderness area are designed to add gravel pits, something else that concerns Shier. Gravel pits can be located outside of the park, she said.

Cardiff stressed the changes are not in place to increase cell phone coverage in the back country. Parks would first look at other lands for such infrastructure.

“We’d look to places where we already have repeater towers first,” Cardiff said. “The intent is not to erode away the wilderness areas.”

Banff National Park has a similar proposal in its management plan, and is leading the way in such a proposal. Cardiff said the other mountain parks will likely follow suit.

In the U.S., Yellowstone National Park has eliminated cell phone towers around Old Faithful geyser and many campgrounds.