Jasper National Park Controversy
As a Canadian citizen who relishes the great outdoors, I have written this letter to display my concern for developments for tourism in national parks, particularly Jasper National Park.
My first concern is the amount of money being spent for development compared to how much is being used for sustaining the environment. National parks provide an extremely unique learning experience for millions of visitors every year, but in order to maintain it, we need to have more spent on conserving the ecosystem. In 2012 Parks Canada slashed the budget of conservation and science while doubling the budget for tourism and development in national parks. Furthermore, in 2015-2016 only 13% of Parks Canada’s spending was dedicated to nature conservation. …show more content…
The are a lot of examples that have happened recently or currently, look no further than the controversial, recently built Glacier Skywalk in Jasper. The Glacier Skywalk posing a risk by being in an environment to wildlife, mainly Mountain Goats and Bighorn Sheep. Furthermore, in 2014 Parks Canada approved a plan for commercial accommodations at Maligne Lake, even though it is prohibited by the park's management plan. Another environment endangering action is the current proposal for a $66 million bike trail through Jasper National Park. This would run adjacent with the Jasper/Banff highway, and funding for which was provided in the 2016 budget. This paved bike trail connecting Jasper and Banff would go through multiple endangered Grizzly Bear and Caribou habitats in Jasper. It would also go past glaciers, icefields, jagged peaks and lakes. Along with damaging crucial habitats, it will surely divert resources from conserving nature. All this is happening despite it being directly contrary to the 2010 Management Plan for Jasper National Park.
I would be sincerely grateful if you and your association would reconsider developing in National Parks. This is due to the amount of money being spent for development compared to how much is being used for sustaining the environment, the decline of health in ecosystems, and the continuation of development in national
My first concern is the amount of money being spent for development compared to how much is being used for sustaining the environment. National parks provide an extremely unique learning experience for millions of visitors every year, but in order to maintain it, we need to have more spent on conserving the ecosystem. In 2012 Parks Canada slashed the budget of conservation and science while doubling the budget for tourism and development in national parks. Furthermore, in 2015-2016 only 13% of Parks Canada’s spending was dedicated to nature conservation. …show more content…
The are a lot of examples that have happened recently or currently, look no further than the controversial, recently built Glacier Skywalk in Jasper. The Glacier Skywalk posing a risk by being in an environment to wildlife, mainly Mountain Goats and Bighorn Sheep. Furthermore, in 2014 Parks Canada approved a plan for commercial accommodations at Maligne Lake, even though it is prohibited by the park's management plan. Another environment endangering action is the current proposal for a $66 million bike trail through Jasper National Park. This would run adjacent with the Jasper/Banff highway, and funding for which was provided in the 2016 budget. This paved bike trail connecting Jasper and Banff would go through multiple endangered Grizzly Bear and Caribou habitats in Jasper. It would also go past glaciers, icefields, jagged peaks and lakes. Along with damaging crucial habitats, it will surely divert resources from conserving nature. All this is happening despite it being directly contrary to the 2010 Management Plan for Jasper National Park.
I would be sincerely grateful if you and your association would reconsider developing in National Parks. This is due to the amount of money being spent for development compared to how much is being used for sustaining the environment, the decline of health in ecosystems, and the continuation of development in national