Parks Canada’s Summary of Public and Aboriginal Comments

Ski Marmot Basin 2014 Long Range Plan and Detailed Impact Analysis

Parks Canada is pleased to report on the results of the public and Aboriginal engagement programs that supported decision-making for the Ski Marmot Basin 2014 Long Range Plan and associated Detailed Environmental Impact Analysis. The Marmot Basin Ski Area is located in Jasper National Park of Canada.

Context

Ski areas in national parks are managed through a structured suite of policy tools, including Park Management Plans, Ski Area Management Guidelines, and Site Guidelines specific to each ski area which guide the preparation of detailed Long Range Plans for approval by the Minister.

To ensure long term land use certainty for the management of ski areas in the mountain national parks, Parks Canada developed the Ski Area Management Guidelines (2006). This planning framework:

• Ensures ecological integrity will be maintained or restored;
• Contributes to facilitating memorable national park visitor experiences and educational opportunities; and
• Provides ski area operators with clear parameters for business planning in support of an economically healthy operation.

In 2008, Parks Canada’s CEO approved the Marmot Basin Ski Area Site Guidelines for Development and Use (the Site Guidelines). The Site Guidelines were prepared in collaboration with Ski Marmot Basin and with public participation. They provide ongoing policy direction for decisions and provide the guiderails for the development of one or more Long Range Plans. A Long Range Plan is intended to outline the development and operation of the ski area for all seasons for a period of five to 15 years. It includes an environmental management system and best management practices.

The 2014 Long Range Plan

In June 2014, Ski Marmot Basin released a draft of its new Long Range Plan and associated Detailed Impact Analysis for review by the public and Aboriginal communities with historic ties to Jasper National Park. The Long Range Plan establishes the ski area’s immediate priorities for facility and ski run enhancements within their existing developed area.

Ski Marmot Basin’s 2014 Long Range Plan advances proposals for:

• expanded snowmaking in the mid-mountain and upper mountain areas
• enhanced parking and transportation access
• upgrading of the Caribou Chalet
• limited tree reglading on the slopes west of the mid-mountain chalets

Ski Marmot Basin has also proposed, and Parks Canada has accepted, a 17% reduction in the size of the leasehold (118 ha). This reduction was set out in the Site Guidelines in recognition of the surrendered area’s importance for woodland caribou, mountain goats and other valued and sensitive wildlife species.

Ski Marmot Basin’s 2014 Long Range Plan was developed following the process outlined in Parks Canada’s Ski Area Management Guidelines (2006) and is consistent with the policy direction contained in the Site Guidelines and the Jasper National Park of Canada Management Plan (2010).

Subsequent Long Range Plans may be submitted by Ski Marmot Basin following the conclusion of wildlife investigations pertaining to mountain goats and woodland caribou.

Aboriginal Engagement

Parks Canada led the process of engaging with Aboriginal communities that have historic ties to Jasper National Park. Twenty-four such communities are members of the Jasper Aboriginal Forum. The Aboriginal communities were informed of, and invited to participate in, the ski area planning process for Marmot Basin through direct mail-outs and follow-up conversations. Information updates at recent meetings of the Jasper Aboriginal Forum involved presentations and discussions (April 8, 2014 and September 7, 2013).

Aboriginal communities were asked in writing and by telephone if and how they wish to be engaged in bilateral discussions. Members of three interested communities participated in site visits to the Marmot Basin Ski Area in August and September 2014. The Aboriginal site visits included a traditional ceremony, reconnection for participants, an exchange of information and sharing of cultural knowledge.

Parks Canada and Ski Marmot Basin agreed that follow-up visits by interested Aboriginal partners would occur during the 2015 growing season, and interested Aboriginal knowledge-holders will provide further guidance on plants of interest and other cultural values.

Public Engagement

With Parks Canada’s guidance, Ski Marmot Basin carried out public engagement program in support of their Long Range Plan and Detailed Impact Analysis, consistent with the Parks Canada’s Ski Area Planning Process and the Parks Canada Interim Directive on Implementation of the CEAA 2012. Public engagement was initiated in May 2013 (information phase) and concluded in July 2014 (consultation phase).

Ski Marmot Basin’s public engagement activities included:

• circulation of information materials - June 2013 to August 2014
• newsletter mail-outs to 1,955 individuals
• stakeholder meetings - May 2013 to July 2014
• public open houses in Jasper and Edmonton held in July 2014
• dedicated webpage and phone line
• social media updates
• an opportunity for interested members of the public to review and comment on the draft Long Range Plan and Detailed Impact Assessment

Parks Canada also provided information directly to the public about ski area planning and the Marmot Basin public engagement process through emails to stakeholders and website information.

Ski Marmot Basin submitted to Parks Canada in August 2014 a detailed report on their engagement process and the public feedback received.

Public Response

Approximately 40 people attended the open houses and 23 emails or letters were submitted to Ski Marmot Basin regarding the Long Range Plan. Another 3 emails were received directly by Parks Canada. Feedback at the open houses was generally supportive, with some areas of concern.

Written comments about the main elements of the Long Range Plan expressed perspectives on improvements (for proposals that are in the Plan and others that are not), alternatives, potential environmental impacts, and operational considerations. The areas of concern were focused on the proposals to expand snowmaking in the mid-mountain and upper mountain, and enhancing parking.

Transportation and Parking – What We Heard

Several comments were directed at Marmot Basin’s efforts to encourage mass transit to alleviate parking lot and traffic congestion. Some concerns were raised with respect to tree removal to widen the access road to the parking lots in advance of further progress on mass transit; other suggestions included building stairs between the parking lots and adjusting operational hours of certain parking lots.

Snowmaking and Water Reservoir – What We Heard

Several respondents identified concerns about the impact of a new mid-mountain reservoir and associated water withdrawals on Basin Creek. One respondent suggested using treated wastewater for snowmaking on the lower slopes of the ski area.

Future Proposals – What We Heard

A number of comments received during the public engagement process pertained to ideas or future proposals that are not contained in this Long Range Plan, but could be considered under the Site Guidelines (e.g. proposals identified as exceptions that would be considered in exchange for a substantial environmental gain). Some of these ideas may appear in a future Long Range Plan. For example, several respondents asked about plans for extension of the Knob chairlift or expansion of existing ski terrain, while others expressed concerns about expansion.

Other ideas for new developments included lighting to enable night skiing, and a new lift and half pipe in the terrain park. Some suggestions, such as on-hill accommodations, are precluded by existing Parks Canada policies. Summer uses, such as lift access for mountain biking, are not within the scope of this Long Range Plan, and would need to be presented in a future Long Range Plan with special attention to the related criteria for considering summer use proposals in the Site Guidelines.

Closure

Ski Marmot Basin prepared a detailed report on the conduct and results of the public and Aboriginal engagement programs, and updated their final Long Range Plan and their Detailed Environmental Impact Analysis submissions to reflect those results, with detailed responses to the issues raised.

The Superintendent of Jasper National park gave careful consideration to all of the feedback received before reaching a favourable determination on the Detailed Environmental Impact Analysis and in recommending approval of the Ski Marmot Basin 2014 Long Range Plan to the Minister.

With the approval of the Long Range Plan by the Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency, Jasper National Park and Marmot Basin will move forward with Plan implementation, and with the continued implementation of the Site Guidelines.