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History

Waterton Parkland History

Date Event
 2009  Draft Management Plan released for Waterton National Park. AWA and other conservation organizations express considerable apprehension at the proposed change in direction for the management of the parks. Whereas the legislated first priority for park management is ecological integrity, this draft plans place far more emphasis than ever before on maximizing the "visitor experience."
 2008 The Chief Mountain Study (CMS), an assessment of the potential cumulative effects of land use in the Waterton Parkland and surrounding regions, reveals key findings which include:

  • Growth in settlements and transportation networks represent significant threats to grassland integrity in the region.
  • Acreages are on track to surpass agricultural residences in area.
  • Wind turbines are becoming a significant land use. They have a relatively small footprint but a potentially high visual impact.
  • The area needed for recreational activities is increasing rapidly and is expected to surpass the energy sector footprint before 2057.
  • Hydrocarbon sector footprint growth is projected to be relatively low compared with other land uses.
  • Conventional oil, natural gas, and coal bed methane activity is projected to be substantially less than projected in the adjacent Southern Foothills Study.
  • The amount of water held in shallow groundwater aquifers is declining.
  • Livestock and humans are primarily responsible for the continuing declines in surface water quality.
  • Native grassland integrity (area presence) is projected to decline.
  • Forest fragmentation is forecasted to increase.
  • Grizzly Bear populations are likely to decline.
2004
 Dozens of East Kootenay communities back a proposed feasibility study investigating the suggested expansion of Waterton Lakes National Park.  Mining and logging industry supporters, as well as the government of British Columbia who would need to compensate these interests, fear such park expansion.
2002
 An area within the Waterton Lakes National Park is designated as a wilderness area.  Activities that may impair the wilderness character of the area are limited and most motorized access is banned.
2001
 CPAWS promotes a plan to double the size of Waterton Lakes National Park by extending the protected area into British Columbia’s Flathead Valley.

CPAWS and SAEG (Southern Alberta Environmental Group) submitted a request through the Sierra Legal Defence Fund to federal Envrionment Minister David Anderson requesting that the proposed residential development at the entrance to Waterton Lakes National Park be subject to an environmental assessment.

Letter noting incidences of livestock trespass in Waterton Lakes National Park is published in Wild Land’s Advocate (WLA, Vol. 9, No. 6, Dec. 2001)
2000
 Waterton Lakes National Park Management Plan released.
 1998 The Ecosystem Conservation Plan for Waterton Lakes National Park released.  This plan is later merged with the Waterton Lakes National Park Management Plan.
1996
 The Akamina-Kishinena Class 'A' Provincial Park is established in British Columbia.  This 10,921 ha Wilderness Park lies immediately adjacent to Waterton Lakes National Park and effectively adds to the core area of protected land in the region.
AWA writes a letter to The Hon. Sheila Copps (Minister of Canadian Heritage) opposing the reopening of a road leading to picnic sites on the Blakiston Fan.  The road is closed to keep natural processes at work and does not prevent visitors from accessing the area by foot.  AWA requests a formal CEAA review if plans exist to rebuild the road.
1995
 The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park as a World Heritage Site.
1994
 The Waterton Homestead Campground is granted a development permit to lease approximately 200 cottage lots, 15 townhouse units, 30 park model lots, 100 RV pads and associated infrastructure adjacent to the national park.  Conservationists fear that the increased human footprint in the area will further fragment, and have a negative environmental impact, on the region.
1991
 AWA writes a letter to the Municipal District Council of Pincher Creek expressing opposition to a proposal to change the “Waterton Vicinity Protection Zone” for the purpose of permitting a magnetite mine to be developed.
 1990 AWA submits a response to the Waterton Management Plan Review.  In the submission, AWA encourages planners to reroute human traffic through less environmentally sensitive areas, create a First Nations educational exhibit, reclaim disturbed park areas, restrict power boats, place a moratorium on future facilities development, further regulate front and back country camping, and restrict mountain bikes to paved roads.
The Crown of the Continent Society is created.  This society brings together 30 agencies and stakeholders groups in the Pincher Creek area.  Unfortunately, the society is shut down in 1992 due to conflicting society visions.
   
   
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