Summary of Public Feedback on Proposed Management Actions for the Maligne Valley

March 2014

In 2013, Parks Canada announced its intention to develop an Implementation Strategy, or area plan, for the Maligne Valley. As part of the Implementation Strategy planning process, Parks Canada facilitated two periods of public and Aboriginal engagement.

1. Phase One took place in November 2013 and involved the review of the Maligne Valley Situation Analysis.
2. Phase Two took place in October 2014 and involved the review of the proposed management actions described in the Maligne Valley Implementation Strategy Discussion Paper.

This report summarizes the comments received by Parks Canada during the second phase of public engagement.

Approximately 8,000 people were made aware of the Maligne Valley Implementation Strategy dialogue during October 2014. About 120 people had the opportunity to provide oral feedback (e.g. about proposed actions they supported or opposed, other actions Parks Canada should consider, priorities for implementation) during public forums held in Jasper and Edmonton. Thirty-two people submitted letters during the review period containing comments and suggestions related to the proposed actions. The comments received at the public forums and in the letters have been combined and are summarized in the following sections.

Comments on Improving Ecological Integrity

The majority of the actions proposed to improve ecological integrity in the Maligne Valley were supported by respondents. The three most strongly supported actions were:

1. Improving the effectiveness of wildlife viewing communications
2. Expanding the Wildlife Guardians program
3. Managing winter recreational access to critical caribou habitat

Caribou

What we heard:

• caribou conservation should be a priority for Parks Canada
• winter recreation in the Maligne Valley should take place outside of critical caribou habitat
• Parks Canada should close the Maligne Lake Road in winter to support caribou recovery
• questions about proposed management actions (e.g. how long should recreational access be limited, what is the likelihood of successful augmentation)
• finish work to define critical habitat for caribou
• Parks Canada should monitor speeds on the Maligne Lake Road to ensure caribou safety

Grizzly Bears

What we heard:

• general support for actions to reduce the potential for human-bear conflict, such as moving tent sites and clearing sightlines
• questions about the effectiveness of a permanent bear warning at Opal Hills and the consequences of not respecting the warning
• personal contacts (i.e. Wildlife Guardians) may be a better tool for encouraging compliance than signage
• investment in Opal Hills Trail should be limited, given its location in important bear habitat
• support for removing obsolete facilities to give wildlife more room
• other ideas for potential future uses of those facilities (e.g. Beaver Creek Patrol Cabin could be a venue for interpretation of warden history)
• removing facilities from pinch points throughout the Maligne Valley, but accepting a proposal for tent cabins, is inconsistent. No new facilities should be added to pinch points
• Parks Canada should set limits for day and overnight use on the Skyline Trail (particularly in the fall season)
• Parks Canada should improve management of activities like mountain biking to prevent bear-human encounters

Wildlife Viewing

What we heard:

• general support for increasing the Wildlife Guardian presence in the Maligne Valley
• expand the program by using volunteers (e.g. Bear Guardians)
• a pilot program to broadcast radio messages about wildlife jams to visitors might encourage speeding as motorists rush to the viewing opportunity
• provide a Parks-Canada-staffed wildlife watching “station” or area from which visitors can view wildlife at a distance, using a scope
• use ‘graphic’ imagery to make communications more effective (i.e. through shock value)
• better communicate and enforce wildlife viewing rules (e.g. staying in cars and tour buses)

Habitat Restoration

What we heard:

• little feedback on the Beaver Lake wetland restoration proposal, other than to consider how the dam is regulating water discharge at peak flows and its removal could impact the Maligne Lake Road
• little support for reducing the size of Watchtower parking lot, as there would be little ecological benefit relative to the cost of rehabilitation
• the parking area on the south side of Beaver Creek was identified as another possible option for restoration

Environmental Stewardship

What we heard:

• Parks Canada should evaluate the feasibility of mass transit along the Maligne Road to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and in parking lots, the potential for wildlife-human conflict and wildlife jams, and the carbon footprint, and to improve interpretation
• Parks Canada should promote the existing Maligne Tours shuttle as a transit option
• Parks Canada should put more emphasis on the ecological integrity responsibilities of commercial operators when allowing development
• Parks Canada should implement a park-wide recycling program  

Comments on Improving Visitor Experience along the Maligne Lake Road

There was general agreement with most of the actions proposed to make the drive up the Maligne Lake Road a more important part of the Maligne experience. The three most strongly supported actions were:

1. Developing a valley brochure or an app
2. Developing new short walks or hikes
3. Improving road signage

Increased Investment in Six Priority Areas along the Road

What we heard:

• general support for improving basic facilities (e.g. washrooms, picnic tables), providing short walking opportunities, and refreshing interpretation at six key road-accessible
• Beaver Creek picnic area and several other pull-outs between Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake might be good candidates for increased investment
• consider closing the viewpoint at the north end of Medicine Lake to vehicles (as pulling in and out is unsafe) and establish a replacement parking area elsewhere
• Parks Canada should develop or better promote some longer hikes (e.g. trail to Beaver Lake)
• support for new interpretive signage. Potential stories included:
  • Geological stories (e.g. formation of Medicine Lake, periodic overflow of the lake) and a topographical model of Medicine Lake
  • Historical figures, such as early outfitters and Mary Schaeffer, and other historical stories (e.g. taking the ferry across Medicine Lake, road development)
  • Aboriginal stories (e.g. Sampson Beaver story, maps of Aboriginal use of plants and animals)
  • How different areas of the valley got their names (e.g. Spirit Island, Bruce’s Picnic Area)
  • Wildlife stories (e.g. eagles at Medicine Lake, Harlequin Duck history)  

Expansion of Signal Parking Area

What we heard:

• more parking capacity is needed
• could expansion reduce habitat and alter wildlife corridors?
• other options should be explored (i.e. using the Maligne Canyon Overlook as overflow parking)

Trip Planning, Orientation and Congestion

What we heard:

• general agreement that road signage and the sense of arrival to the valley need to be improved
• consistent names for the road, viewpoints and day use areas are needed
• a sign showing the main stops along the road (i.e. a valley map) and distances should be located at or near the Moberly Bridge
• consider installing an iconic marker at the valley entrance (e.g. like the Mount Robson goat)
• mountain peak name and elevation signs, creek name signs and km markers along the road would be welcome additions to road signage
• general support for developing a valley brochure highlighting main points of interest and wildlife viewing etiquette
• support for developing an app, podcast or audio-tour, to connect with younger audiences and visitors who speak languages other than English and French. These could be made available for download at the visitor centre, at Parks Canada’s website, or through commercial operators
• general support for brushing along the road to improve visitor safety, help motorists find viewpoints and day use areas, and reduce human-wildlife conflict (e.g. if distances between animals and motorists increase)
• concerns that brushing could encourage the proliferation of non-native plants and attract more wildlife to the roadside, resulting in increased human-wildlife conflict
• little feedback on a proposal to carry out a traffic study to determine parking lot capacities and areas of congestion, although several areas where parking is an issue were identified
• parking issues at the public boat launch on Maligne Lake could be alleviated by allowing backcountry boat users to park along the road to the patrol cabin while they are on the lake

New Activities, Programs and Services

What we heard:

• some activities, such as geocaching, need to be carefully managed for off-trail use and impacts to the park environment
• small group bookings should not limit public access to the Maligne Canyon Overlook
• Dark Sky programming could increase traffic on the road after dark and increase the potential for wildlife-vehicle collisions
• suggested topics for “Behind-the-Scenes” tours, including helping to collect grizzly bear hair samples or working with a resource conservation specialist
• many suggestions for other programs, such as wildlife photography, costumed interpretation, and guided historical walks

Other Ideas

What we heard:

• increase the number of resource conservation staff stationed at Maligne Lake
• provide a mobile or stationary information kiosk at Maligne Lake to increase Parks Canada’s presence and reduce demands on Maligne Tours to provide visitor information
• there are communications challenges at Maligne Lake (i.e. lack of cell service)
• provide interpretive exhibits in the day lodge at Maligne Lake (similar to the Glacier Galley at the Icefield Centre) and more interpretation around the Maligne Lake Chalet
• promote road biking on the Maligne Lake Road more actively, especially during the shoulder seasons (e.g. after the September long weekend). Consider, for example, adding a bike lane to the road, closing the road to vehicle traffic at certain times of the day (e.g. 7 to 10 a.m.) or seasons, or creating a brochure that includes mountain biking options
• improve communication about road closures and review how gates are used; avoid closing the whole valley when only part of the road needs attention (i.e. for avalanche control)  

Comments on Improving Visitor Experience in Wilderness Areas

Perspectives about the actions proposed for wilderness areas were generally more varied than perspectives on the other actions, however the three most strongly supported actions were:

1. Promoting snowshoeing, winter walking and skiing opportunities in the Maligne Valley outside of critical caribou habitat
2. Relocating Snowbowl Campground
3. Improving the staging area and boat storage at Maligne Lake

Increase investment in more popular wilderness areas and reduce investment in less popular areas:

What we heard:

• many different perspectives on how Parks Canada should prioritize investment in wilderness areas
• general agreement that many existing facilities and infrastructure need more attention
• concern that increased investment could lead to increased visitor use, which would impact the wilderness experience and ecological integrity
• limited support for removing underused backcountry facilities for three main reasons:
  • Removing underused facilities, such as Evelyn Creek Campground, could limit options for the markets Parks Canada is trying to reach (i.e. 'entry level' wilderness users, families)
  • Parks Canada should consider the needs of experienced users and provide opportunities for people looking for more challenge or solitude
  • Greater use on a more limited number of trails could result in trail damage and unwanted ecological impacts
• Parks Canada should continue to maintain Watchtower, for its role as a “bailout trail” for the Skyline, and Henry McLeod campsite

Trails

• all trails in the valley should be accessible to everyone; Parks Canada should redirect backcountry visitors to trails other than the Skyline and maintain or further develop those trails
• some trails or routes should have a very basic level of service or perhaps none at all
• priorities for future trail work (e.g. the Mary Schaeffer trail (especially the section along the lake to the point), Bald Hills, Opal Hills)
• establish a structure at the point on the Mary Schaeffer Trail that would focus visitor use and eliminate trail braiding to the water’s edge
• suggestions for new trails or trail-related facilities (e.g. connector trails between 6th bridge and the Maligne Canyon Overlook, two new trails from the Jacques Lake trailhead, a winter lean-to in Watchtower Valley)
• ecological concerns about the impacts of new trails on wildlife habitat and movement, particularly with respect to grizzly bears
• Parks Canada should carry out more detailed trail planning throughout the valley, using an approach similar to the Three Valley Confluence Trails Project. The Jasper Trail Alliance could assist with trail planning and maintenance, especially for trails which Parks Canada will no longer maintain (e.g. Watchtower, Henry McLeod).

Campgrounds

• better toilet design and maintenance, and more camper education about protocols for garbage management, grey water disposal, etc. are needed
  • use improved signage, publications and volunteers (e.g. Trail Guardians) to educate campers
• campground reservations should be better managed (e.g. by charging higher camping fees), so that if campers decide not to go on their trip, they cancel their reservation, freeing up campsites for others
• other suggestions for the Maligne Lake campgrounds included: providing firewood; limiting the number of boats with electric motors; implementing a ‘liquor ban’, especially for family campgrounds; increasing staff presence; promoting Coronet Glacier as an overnight boating/hiking trip
• some support for relocating campsites from Evelyn Creek and Watchtower, but concerns as well (for many of the reasons highlighted in the previous section)
• Evelyn Campground should be retained, but relocated to a drier area
• the toilet facilities should be maintained at Evelyn Creek
• random camping should be allowed at decommissioned campgrounds 

Increase Fees for Camping at Maligne Lake and on the Skyline Trail

What we heard:

• some support for increased fees, especially if the new revenue goes back into maintenance of backcountry infrastructure and if the reasons for the increase are clearly explained
• an increase in the range of $12-$20 per person per night would be acceptable
• Parks Canada should review the fees associated with similar trails (e.g. West Coast Trail, Chilkoot Trail) and consider a different fee structure for groups

Refresh boating options at Maligne Lake

What we heard:

• general lack of support for more motorized tours on Maligne Lake, but openness to non-motorized tours and watercraft
• concerns about shoreline damage from wakes and the effect of increased boat traffic on the wilderness character of the lake and wildlife
• Parks Canada should use the same process it used for Maligne Tours redevelopment proposal to evaluate new proposals for guided boating or rentals
• questions about the suitability of large, cold Maligne Lake for “learn to canoe” experiences
• the existing boat launch could be improved by installing a second dock or straightening the access road and ramp
• given that the existing boat launch is very busy, Parks Canada might consider locating a new boat offer in another area (e.g. by the Mary Schaffer trail)

Promote more snowshoeing, winter walking and skiing in areas outside critical caribou habitat:

What we heard:

• broad support for promoting more winter recreational activities outside of caribou habitat, 
• providing entry level winter activities at the north end of the valley will not replace opportunities for people seeking intermediate or advanced wilderness experiences  

Possible Future Considerations

We asked for feedback on three ideas that Parks Canada has not yet fully evaluated: relocating Snowbowl Camground to a higher, drier location, installing shelters on the Skyline and increasing the capacity of the boat-accessible campgrounds on Maligne Lake.

What we heard:

• strong support for relocating Snowbowl Campground to a higher, more open location
• much less support for permanent shelters on the Skyline Trail
• shelters could attract visitors who are not self-reliant
• very basic (i.e. A-frame) shelters might be acceptable
• provide permanent tarp wires instead of shelters on the Skyline Trail
• differing views about the merits of adding more campsites to existing campgrounds on Maligne Lake or adding a new campground at a new location
• Parks Canada should concentrate first and foremost on improving the existing campgrounds, which are worn from over-use
• adding new sites at existing campgrounds could impact the wilderness experience and Parks Canada should set limits on the number of sites at campgrounds
• establishing a new campground would be preferred over increasing the size of existing campgrounds, although there are concerns about impacts to grizzly bears
• potential locations for a new campground; existing picnic areas could be converted to campgrounds

Comments on Strengthening Aboriginal Relationships

What we heard:

• support for those aspects of the Discussion Paper that related to Aboriginal involvement in the valley--for more engagement of Aboriginal people, providing more information about Aboriginal stories and culture, and increasing the profile of communities with traditional connections to the Valley

Comments on Maligne Tours’ Redevelopment Proposal

Many comments were received about Parks Canada`s decision to allow all elements of the Maligne Tours proposal , with the exception of the 66-room heritage overnight accommodation, to proceed into the Development Review Process. Key concerns (which centered on the tent cabin proposal and, to a lesser extent, the wildlife-themed maze) were:

• the requirement for an amendment of the Park Management Plan to accommodate the tent cabins
• provision of new off-leasehold land to accommodate both the tent cabins and wildlife maze
• impacts on wildlife, especially grizzly bear movement
• the potential for disruption of the beauty and serenity of the area
• the potential precedent for similar development requests elsewhere in the park

Conclusion

The feedback that we received during the public review period for the Maligne Valley Implementation Strategy Discussion Paper suggests that there is broad support for the majority of the actions proposed in the Discussion Paper. Respondents have provided a large amount of valuable feedback that will assist Parks Canada in evaluating and refining the proposed actions for the valley. We would like to thank all those who took the time to attend the public forums and submit written comments.