Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada Management Plan a Portion of Waterton–Glacier International Peace Park Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada Management Plan
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PROUDLY BRINGING YOU CANADA AT ITS BEST Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada Management Plan A Portion of Waterton–Glacier International Peace Park Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada Management Plan A Portion of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park May 2000 Cover photo: the Blakiston Fan and Mount Sofa © Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 2000 Catalogue No.: R64-105/29-2000E ISBN: 0-662-28864-5 Foreword Protection of the ecological integrity and cultural resources pressures; a better way to integrate commercial and tourist of the Rocky Mountain national parks, for the appreciation activities in this magnificent, finite environment; and a and enjoyment of current and future generations, is one of higher level of local and national input in decision making. our nation’s greatest responsibilities. It is something we owe both to ourselves and to the world which has The Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada Management bestowed world heritage site status on these parks. Plan was prepared through extensive public consultation. It provides a shared vision to guide the park into the 21st In 1997, I approved the Banff National Park Management century; setting the groundwork for action over the next Plan. This management plan for Waterton Lakes National 15 years. Park of Canada builds on the key themes and principles of the Banff Plan. National parks are, first and foremost, places The community of Waterton is a focal point for visitors to for nature and will remain so. They must continue to be Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada. In June 1998, I places for people and for heritage tourism, places to visit, to announced principles to guide the management of national experience and to learn. These parks are also places for park communities. This management plan provides a community and for the highest standards of environmental framework for how these principles of no net negative stewardship. Finally, national parks are places where environmental impact, appropriate use, responsible growth management is open and transparent. management, and leadership in environmental and heritage conservation will be applied to the community of Waterton. With Glacier National Park in Montana on its southern The management plan ensures that the management of the border, Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada protects a community of Waterton is integrated with the management unique internationally significant ecosystem. Established as of the park. The protection of the park’s ecological integrity the world’s first international peace park in 1932, Waterton- and cultural resources is the primary consideration of the Glacier International Peace Park was designated as a World community. Waterton Park is a model community Heritage Site in 1995. reflecting the surrounding natural environment, national park values and its cultural heritage. The Rocky Mountain national parks are closely linked from an ecological and visitor use perspective. Thus, the The Government of Canada is committed to the protection Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada Management Plan and presentation of our natural and cultural heritage and, was developed in concert with the new management plans as Minister of Canadian Heritage responsible for Parks for Kootenay, Yoho and Jasper national parks. The Canada, it is my duty to safeguard our national parks. It is management plans outline the key tools we need to meet in keeping with this mandate that I approve the Waterton the challenges facing these special places: a better Lakes National Park of Canada Management Plan. understanding of the immediate and long-range ecological Sheila Copps Minister of Canadian Heritage Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada Management Plan This plan has been recommended for approval by: Tom Lee Chief Executive Officer Parks Canada Bruce Amos Director General National Parks Gaby Fortin Director General Western Canada Peter Lamb Field Unit Superintendent Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada M ANAGEMENT P LAN TABLE OF CONTENTS A VISION FOR WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA ………….......……...............………….................... 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………………………………...........................…...........… 3 1.1 A Park of Many Places ……………………………………………………………………….......................………… 3 1.2 Management Planning in the Mountain Parks …………….....…………………………….....................………… 4 1.3 Cornerstones of Success ……………………………………………………………………….....................………… 5 2.0 PLANNING CONTEXT……………………………………………………………………………....................................… 7 2.1 Regional Setting ……………………………………………………………………………………...................……… 7 2.2 The Community of Waterton ..……………………………………………………………………...........................… 8 2.3 Park Policy and Land Use ………………………………………………………………………………..................... 8 2.4 Human Use …………………………………………………………………………………………………...………… 8 3.0 A PLACE FOR NATURE …………………………………………………………………………………........................... 9 3.1 Overview……………………………………………………………………………………………………………....… 9 3.2 Threats to Ecological Integrity ……………………………………………………………………………………...… 10 3.3 A Vision for Ecological Integrity ………………………………………………………………………………...…… 11 3.4 Communicating the Need for Ecological Integrity ………………………………………………………....……… 11 3.5 Shared Regional Ecosystems ………………………………………………………………………………......……… 12 3.6 Biological Diversity ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13 3.7 Air Quality ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14 3.8 Geology and Landforms ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 15 3.9 Aquatic Ecosystems ………………………………………………...……………………..…………………………… 16 3.10 Vegetation …………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………… 16 3.11 Wildlife ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17 3.12 Indicators of Ecological Integrity ……………………….…………………………………………………………….. 19 4.0 A PLACE OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ………………................................................ 23 4.1 Overview ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 23 4.2 Strategic Goals …………………………………………………………………..…………………………………… 24 4.3 Objectives …………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………. 24 4.4 Key Actions ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…… 25 5.0 A PLACE FOR PEOPLE ……………………………………………...................…………….........................…………... 27 5.1 Overview ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 27 5.2 Heritage Tourism ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 28 5.3 Visitor Services and Facilities ………………………………………………………………………………………… 30 5.4 Awareness and Education ……………………………………………………………………….....………………… 31 5.5 Effective Human Use Management ………………....…….......………………...................................................…… 32 6.0 TRANSPORTATION ………………………………………………………………………………......................................39 6.1 Overview ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 39 6.2 Strategic Goal ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 40 6.3 Objectives ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 40 6.4 Key Actions …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 40 I TABLE OF CONTENTS Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada Management Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS — CONTINUED 7.0 A PLACE FOR COMMUNITY ……………………………………………………………................................……..… 41 7.1 Overview ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 41 7.2 Role Statement…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 42 7.3 Key Action …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….. 42 8.0 A PLACE FOR OPEN MANAGEMENT ……………………………………….....................................…………….. 43 8.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 43 8.2 Public Involvement …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 45 8.3 Development Review Process ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 45 8.4 Appropriate Use …………………………………………………………………………………………...........…….. 46 8.5 Regional Coordination ……………………………………………………………………………………….........….. 48 8.6 Research and Information Management ………………………………………………………………….............… 49 9.0 A PLACE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP……………………………….............................................. 51 9.1 Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…51 9.2 Strategic Goals ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….… 52 9.3 Objectives ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……52 9.4 Key Actions …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…52 10.0 PARK ZONING ………………………………………………………………………………………………......………… 53 10.1 National Park Zoning System ………………………………………………………………………………….… 53 10.2 Zone 1 - Special Preservation ………………………………………….................…...............................................… 55 10.3 Zone II - Wilderness ……………………………………………………………….......................................…....…… 55 10.4 Zone III - Natural Environment ………………………………………………….....…..............................…….....… 55 10.5 Zone IV - Outdoor Recreation ……………………………………...........………...................................................… 56 10.6 Zone V - Park Services ……………………………………………………………….......................................…....… 56 10.7 Environmentally Sensitive Sites ……………………………………………………………………………….......… 56 11.0 SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT …………………..................................................… 57 11.1 Background …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..… 58 11.2 The Proposal and Its Impact …………………………………………………………………….......………….....…. 58 11.3 Cumulative Effects ………………………………………………………………………………………………..…… 60 11.4 The Policy ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 60 11.5 Public Input ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….…… 60 11.6 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…… 61 Table