FIELD, B.C. – Long-term geotechnical challenges with groundwater and soil instability causing erosion in Field are threatening some homes, forcing Parks Canada to demolish one house, with two more facing the wrecking ball this fall.
Parks Canada officials say several geotechnical assessments by third-party engineering firms were commissioned to explore potential mitigation options because of the safety risks and problems that are caused by a combination of environmental factors in Yoho National Park.
“A key assessment completed in 2021 confirmed that the hydrogeological concerns are environmental in nature and are likely being exacerbated by a changing climate,” said Annie MacNeil, a public relations and communications officer for Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay in an email statement.
“The assessment also concluded that given the complexity of the conditions, there are no engineering interventions currently available that offer cost-effective or reliable long-term solutions.”
As a result, Parks Canada offered a voluntary home buy-out program to homeowners in 2022 for four lots on 2nd Avenue affected by groundwater and soil instability.
MacNeil said leaseholders were not required to accept the offers, noting three of the four accepted the offer.
“Those who chose not to participate were informed that Parks Canada would not undertake further work to address hydrogeological conditions on their properties,” she said.
“Those who chose to participate were offered preferential rates on other housing lots in the community and were provided two years to find alternate accommodations.”
MacNeil said houses acquired by Parks Canada through the voluntary buy-out program are being demolished because “ongoing ground stability presents safety risks for long-term occupancy.”
One property was removed in 2023 and two more are scheduled for demolition in fall 2025, she said.
“These decisions are made based on environmental and structural considerations and are not taken lightly,” she said.
MacNeil said relocation of homes was offered as an option, provided the structure was stable enough to be moved and the leaseholder was willing to cover the associated costs.
“No leaseholders accepted this option,” she said.
While some homes may appear to be in better condition than others, MacNeil said decisions around demolition are based on “long-term structural risk and the cumulative impact of environmental conditions.”
“In areas where erosion or instability are present – even if not immediately critical – Parks Canada may determine that a structure is no longer suitable for continued residential use for long-term safety reasons,” she said.
“As part of the demolition process, the contractor is required to make a reasonable effort to sort demolished waste and recycle applicable material, and to make a reasonable effort to minimize their footprint during demolition.”
MacNeil said Parks Canada takes the concerns related to the hydrogeological situation in Field within Yoho National Park “very seriously.”
“The agency has been actively engaging with the community on this issue since 2022 and continues to monitor conditions closely,” she said.
