Summary of Detailed Impact Assessment

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Introduction:

Ecological integrity is the first priority in the management of Canada’s national parks. Parks Canada recognizes downhill skiing as a cornerstone of winter tourism in Banff National Park. Carefully planned and managed ski areas contribute to Parks Canada’s objectives of providing meaningful visitor experiences.

Under the Site Guidelines, The Sunshine Village Ski Area in Banff National Park has prepared its first Long-Range Plan, which details the ski area’s development plans for a period of five years. The environmental impacts of the draft Long-Range Plan have been assessed through a draft Detailed Impact Assessment, Park Canada’s most comprehensive impact assessment process.

A Detailed Impact Assessment ensures clear understanding of the potential project impacts, both positive and negative, and prepares the project to address any risks or adverse impacts. In national parks, maintenance of ecological integrity is a mandated objective. Therefore, Detailed Impact Assessments focus on the effect a project may have on natural and cultural resources important to the ecological integrity of the park.

The full Detailed Impact Assessment can be found in the Document library of this website.

Summary of Detailed Impact Assessment:

Sunshine Village Corporation (Sunshine) operates the Sunshine Village Ski Area (Ski Area) and is proposing to expand the resort within defined growth limits under a first Long Range Plan (LRP). The LRP will bring the resort into balance with the goal of achieving a capacity of 8,500 skiers-at-one-time (SAOT) from the current capacity of 6,500 SAOT; approximately 30% growth based on the existing supply of available parking, transit, commercial space, and lift service.

Existing operations at Sunshine include 137 ski trails (runs) ranging from the upper alpine to lower sub-alpine and a lift system consisting of a single, two-stage gondola, nine chairlifts, and two magic carpets. The Ski Area offers sightseeing and hiking in the summer months. No changes to summer use are included in the LRP. Summer use operations will continue under annual approval from the Parks Canada Agency (PCA), consistent with the Site Guidelines for Development and Use (2018 Site Guidelines; PCA 2018a).

This LRP advances concept proposals (the Project) for:

  • reclassifying existing temporary facilities implemented to address COVID-19 health protocols and requirements as permanent commercial space and adding three new mobile kitchen trailers
  • installation of additional capacity for the existing TeePee Town Chairlift, and a parking rail extension for the chairs
  • construction and operation of a new chairlift (Goat’s Eye II) and associated glading and grading for lift terminals. To accommodate the bottom lift terminal, a portion of the existing access road extending through the base area would need to be relocated further west
  • construction and operation of a new day lodge located at the top of the Wolverine and Jackrabbit Chairlifts (Wolverine Day Lodge)
  • a ski way near the top of the existing Wolverine chairlift traversing downslope towards the northeast to connect to the intersection of Forget Me Not and Christmas Tree ski runs (Wolverine Ski Run)
  • changes in visitor use from the currently approved design capacity of 6,500 SAOT to 8,500 SAOT
  • changes in the number of staff at peak times from 811 to a maximum of 885 personnel

The construction of new projects advanced under the LRP are envisioned to occur over an approximate five-year period; operation of the projects will continue throughout the life of ski operations at Sunshine Village.

The PCA is responsible for managing the land and the resources within national parks and has a legal accountability under Canada’s Impact Assessment Act (Government of Canada 2019a) to ensure that activities undertaken on the lands it manages do not result in significant adverse affects. The PCA has determined that the Project will be subject to a Detailed Impact Assessment (DIA) under the Parks Canada Directive on Impact Assessment, 2019 (PCA 2019a).

PCA is responsible for issuing the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the DIA, which outlines the scope and requirements for preparing the DIA. A TOR was prepared by PCA and made available to the public for a 30-day comment period from July 23 - August 23, 2021 - Terms of Reference for the Sunshine Village Ski Area Long Range Plan - Detailed Impact Assessment (PCA 2021a; Appendix B)

This document is a draft version of the DIA for the Project. The intent of the DIA was to evaluate the potential effects of the Project on Valued Components (VCs), which are key ecological and cultural resources that are characteristic of the environment, unique or outstanding features, and/or important to maintain visitor experience objectives.

Assessment Approach:

The DIA considers the potential positive and negative effects of the Project on VCs. Valued Components are defined in the TOR (PCA 2021a; Appendix B) and include the following:

  • Wildlife
  • Vegetation
  • Soils and Terrain
  • Aquatic Resources
  • Cultural Resources
  • Visitor Experience
  • World Heritage Site Outstanding Universal Value
  • Regional Infrastructure Capacity

Potential effects were identified based on an understanding of the Project Description, the associated disturbance footprint, and planned activities during the construction, operation, and maintenance phases of the Project.

Mitigations were identified to avoid and limit potential adverse effects and focus the assessment on residual effects, which are Project effects that cannot be prevented or avoided through the application of mitigations. Residual effects were described in detail using criteria such as direction, magnitude, geographic extent, frequency, duration, and reversibility.

Finally, the DIA included a step to determine the overall significance of residual adverse effects on VCs, including indirect effects of the Project, reasonably foreseeable developments, and climate change considerations (cumulative effects), as well as monitoring, future requirements, and management plans.

Effects on Ecology Integrity:

Potential Project effects on ecological integrity were assessed in terms of changes to aquatic resources, terrain and soils, vegetation, and wildlife.

Greater than negligible residual effects are not predicted for the groundwater, hydrology and drainage, terrain and soils, and sensitive or unique ecosystems VCs due to existing and approved projects, LRP projects, and RFDs after implementation of mitigations. Changes in these VCs are not expected to have a meaningful effect on ecological integrity in the area surrounding the Project.

Valued Components assessed as having negative and greater than negligible residual effects following application of mitigations are water quality, fish and fish habitat, vegetation, and wildlife VCs.

Water Quality:

Residual effects of the Project on water quality are predicted from changes to water quality due to sediment releases and site runoff. With the implementation of erosion and sediment control best management practices, the input of sediment to waterbodies is expected to be low. Some changes to constituent concentrations are possible due to runoff from the parking lot. However, these effects will be reduced through improvements to the existing Healy Creek buffer, construction of a stormwater management system for the parking lot, and improvements to site drainage.

Fish and Fish Habitat:

Residual effects of the Project on fish and fish habitat are possible due to the overlapping and disturbance of riparian areas with the development of the Goat’s Eye Chairlift and glades. Some Project components may disturb or encroach on riparian habitat associated with Cayuse Creek that is designated as Critical Habitat for Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Bull Trout and is a tributary of Sunshine Creek (DFO 2019a, 2020). At the current stage of planning for the LRP, the footprint elements for LRP projects are considered to be approximate, and effort will be made during detailed design to site these developments outside of the riparian zone defined for the affected drainage. Although the ephemeral drainage is designated as Critical Habitat, the proposed infrastructure at this location is primarily within a previously cleared area that has existing infrastructure present. Additionally, the area delineated as Critical Habitat was identified based on a desktop review of digital hydrography mapping information and, therefore, may not accurately describe the location of the drainage. The assessment of effects on fish and fish habitat is considered conservative given that additional effort will be made during detailed design to site the developments outside the defined riparian zone for the identified drainage. Additionally, the estimates include a 10 m buffer applied to each of the footprint elements to provide design flexibility and a further margin of error. Given the conservatism applied in the effects assessment, and potential to adjust the footprints during detailed design, the Project is expected to have a low magnitude residual effect on the fish and fish habitat VC. However, depending on the final disturbance footprint for the developments, and degree of overlap with the riparian zone for the Cayuse Creek drainage, no effects on fish and fish habitat, or negligible residual effects are also possible.

If permanent footprints within the 30 m riparian zone cannot be avoided, Sunshine will engage with Parks Canada to obtain a Species at Risk Act (SARA) permit prior to authorization of the activities. If a SARA permit is required, Sunshine would adhere to all required permit conditions to protect Critical Habitat for Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Bull Trout.

Vegetation:

Residual effects of the Project are predicted on forest communities and are primarily associated with vegetation clearing and ground disturbance during construction and the resulting potential for introduction of non-native weed species. Overall, the residual effect on forest communities is predicted to be negative in direction, low in magnitude, limited to the Project footprint, continuous, and reversible over the long-term with reclamation.

Only the Goat’s Eye II ski lift upper terminal and any ski lift towers in the alpine is expected to impact alpine vegetation communities. No other Project infrastructure is expected in the alpine and all use of the alpine will be restricted to winter conditions. Overall, the residual effect is predicted to be negative in direction, low in magnitude, limited to the Project footprint, continuous, and irreversible.

The Project might adversely affect Whitebark Pine Critical Habitat and Regeneration Habitat through the direct removal from the Project footprint and through continued fire suppression. Vegetation clearing, and terrain modification have the potential to contribute to a loss of Critical Habitat and regeneration habitat during the construction of the ski lift and ski run glading. Towers for the ski lift, the upper chair lift terminal and associated glading will be sited and constructed to avoid Whitebark Pine individuals, if present within the alignment. Selective glading will be completed in the gladed areas, which may contribute to Critical Habitat availability and minimize effects of tower installation. Although continued fire suppression will be required to protect infrastructure, regional management and glading associated with the Project are anticipated to reduce negative effects on Whitebark Pine Critical Habitat. Overall, the residual effect is predicted to be negative in direction, low in magnitude, limited to the Project footprint, and continuous. Habitat losses associated with towers and terminal placement space are considered irreversible.

In addition to Whitebark Pine, two provincially listed plant species (Greyer’s Sedge and Blue Beardtongue) were documented during 2021 field surveys. An additional 39 historical occurrences of provincially listed plant species overlap the Terrestrial Study Area (TSA). Vegetation clearing and terrain modification have the potential to contribute to the loss of known occurrences or the available habitat for listed plant species. The known occurrences are not expected to be affected to a considerable extent by the Project; however, immediately prior to construction, a listed plant survey within the finalized Project footprint will document all locations of listed plants for construction mitigations. Overall, the residual effect is predicted to be negative in direction, low in magnitude, restricted to the Project footprint, and continuous. Losses associated with lift towers, terminals, buildings, road realignment, and utilities are considered reversible as transplanting of affected populations of listed plants will mitigate Project effects in the short-term.

The main pathway by which the Project might adversely affect provincially listed plant habitat is through the direct removal of habitat due to the Project footprint. Vegetation clearing and terrain modification have the potential to contribute to a loss of habitat during the construction of the Project. Potentially suitable habitat lost due to the Project amounts to 5.2 hectares (ha); however, the magnitude of habitat loss is low (less than 1% of the TSA). A listed plant survey within the finalized Project footprint immediately prior to construction will be completed and locations of known occurrences of listed plant species will be documented and considered for mitigations during construction which may minimize the effects of the Project. However, removal of habitat due to the Project is considered permanent.

Wildlife:

Grizzly Bear

The Project will remove 5.2 ha of preferred (non-forested) grizzly habitat. The Project will be constructed within non-secure (human use and elevation) grizzly bear habitat. The Project will not remove grizzly bear secure habitat or high quality grizzly bear habitats that are found along the Bourgeau massif slide paths, in cirque basins and alpine meadows along the Continental Divide, and in riparian areas associated with Healy Creek (Eccles and Strom 1994; PCA 2018b). Any increase in human presence in grizzly bear secure habitat due to Wolverine Lodge will be during the winter when bears are hibernating. Foraging habitat for grizzly bear may increase with glading and development of the Wolverine Ski Way. Effects from changes to habitat will be confined to the Project footprint, are considered irreversible, and will occur continuously over the long term.

Grizzly bears are anticipated to be primarily affected by sensory disturbance during Project construction as grizzly bears hibernate during the winter when the Project will be in operation. Effects from sensory disturbance during construction are anticipated to occur frequently (i.e., during daylight hours) and to be reversible in the short term.

The potential for food conditioning and human-bear conflict is considered negligible based on past performance and incident reporting at Sunshine Village.

Direct habitat loss and alteration from the construction and operation of approved projects and reasonably foreseeable developments (RFDs) is predicted to have low magnitude effects on the grizzly bear population that intersects the TSA. The magnitude of changes will depend on the amount of vegetation that will be removed for RFD projects. A maximum of 80 ha of skiable terrain is allowed at Sunshine but the exact amount of vegetation clearing and type of habitat to be removed is uncertain at this time. Approved projects will result in no, or small changes, to grizzly bear habitat as work will primarily occur in previously disturbed areas. No change to grizzly bear habitat security is expected to occur with the development of RFDs as projects will likely be constructed in non secure (human use) grizzly habitat associated with the Sunshine lease and any increase in human presence in grizzly bear secure habitat will be during the winter when bears are hibernating. Changes to habitat availability from RFD projects are anticipated to be confined to the local scale, to occur continuously over the long-term, and to be irreversible.

Changes to grizzly bear habitat availability from climate change are conservatively considered to be of moderate magnitude to account for the uncertainty regarding the potential effects of climate change. Changes from climate change will occur at the beyond regional scale, will occur continuously over the long-term, and will be irreversible (over the lifetime of operations at Sunshine Village).

Mountain Goat

The Project footprint will remove 5.3 ha of preferred (open) habitats for mountain goat, representing 0.1% of its availability in the TSA. Effects from changes to habitat will be confined to the Project footprint, are considered irreversible, and will occur continuously over the long term.

Mountain goats are sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance (Richard and Côté 2016; Carroll et al. 2018) and so may avoid areas in proximity to the Project footprint, especially when humans are present (PCA 2022, pers. comm.). Mountain goats may be reluctant to enter the parking lot from the Healy Corridor if there are large numbers of vehicles or construction activity in the area (PCA 2022, pers. comm.). As such, effects from sensory disturbance from the Project on mountain goat are conservatively considered to be of moderate magnitude. Effects will occur frequently (i.e., only during daylight or operational hours) and sensory effects from construction are anticipated to be reversible in the short-term and sensory disturbance effects from operations are anticipated to be reversible in the long-term.

Direct habitat loss and alteration from the construction and operation of approved projects and RFDs is predicted to have low magnitude effects on mountain goats, but the magnitude of changes will depend on the type and amount of vegetation that will be removed for RFD projects. A maximum of 80 ha of skiable terrain is allowed at Sunshine but the exact amount of vegetation clearing and type of habitat to be removed is uncertain at this time. Approved projects will result in no, or small, changes to mountain goat habitat because work will primarily occur in previously disturbed areas.

Effects to mountain goats from sensory disturbance from the construction and operation of most approved projects and RFDs are anticipated to be of low magnitude and occur frequently. Effects from sensory disturbance from construction are anticipated to be reversible in the short-term and sensory disturbance from operations to be reversible in the long-term. Operation of the parking lot reconfiguration may have a moderate magnitude effect on mountain goats because this project has potential to negatively impact goat movements (PCA 2018b). Effects may extend to beyond regional scale if mountain goats avoid moving through the Upper Healy Creek wildlife corridor. Monitoring of mountain goats in the Sunshine Lease is ongoing and information from these programs may be used to develop adaptive management plans to limit effects from sensory disturbance at Sunshine. Any adaptative management plans would be developed in consultation with Parks Canada.

RFD projects predicted to have low magnitude effects on mountain goats that are anticipated to be constrained to the local scale because most RFD projects will be constructed in areas that are largely unused by mountain goats (PCA 2018b). As such, effects would occur only if activities associated with construction (e.g., laydown areas) occur near Bourgeau Mountain and the base area parking lot. These effects would occur frequently and would be reversible in the short term.

Changes to mountain goat habitat availability and survival and reproduction from climate change are conservatively considered to be of moderate magnitude to account for the uncertainty regarding the potential effects of climate change. Changes from climate change will occur at the beyond regional scale, will occur continuously over the long-term, and will be irreversible.

Bighorn Sheep

The Project footprint will remove 5.2 ha of preferred (non-forested) bighorn sheep habitat, representing 0.5% of its availability in the TSA. Effects from changes to habitat will be confined to the Project footprint, are considered irreversible, and will occur continuously over the long term.

Bighorn sheep are sensitive to sensory disturbance and may avoid areas in proximity to the Project footprint (i.e., local scale) because of increased sensory disturbance during Project construction, as well as increased visitor use and staffing during operations. Sensory disturbance effects are predicted to be confined to the local scale. Effects from sensory disturbance from the Project are conservatively considered to be of moderate magnitude because of the sensitivity of sheep to human disturbance. Effects will occur frequently (i.e., during daylight or operational hours only). Sensory effects from construction are anticipated to be reversible in the short-term and sensory disturbance effects from operations to be reversible in the long-term.

Direct habitat loss and alteration from the construction and operation of approved projects and RFDs is predicted to have low magnitude effects on bighorn sheep, but the magnitude of changes will depend on the amount of vegetation that will be removed for RFD projects. A maximum of 80 ha of skiable terrain is allowed at Sunshine but the exact amount of vegetation clearing and type of habitat to be removed is uncertain at this time.

Effects to bighorn sheep from sensory disturbance during construction and operation of most approved projects and RFDs are anticipated to be frequent. Effects from sensory disturbance from construction are anticipated to be reversible in the short-term and sensory disturbance effects from operations to be reversible in the long-term. Operation of the parking lot reconfiguration is predicted to have a moderate magnitude effect on bighorn sheep because of their sensitivity to human disturbance. Sensory disturbance effects are predicted to be confined to the local scale for most approved projects and RFDs, but operation of the parking lot reconfiguration has potential to have beyond regional effects.

Changes to bighorn sheep habitat availability and survival and reproduction from climate change are conservatively considered to be of moderate magnitude to account for the uncertainty regarding the potential effects of climate change. Changes from climate change will occur at the beyond regional scale, will occur continuously over the long-term, and will be irreversible.

Mule Deer

Habitat loss and alteration due to the Project is anticipated to have low magnitude effects on mule deer because the Project will remove 5.1 ha (1.5% of available habitat in the TSA) of preferred snow-free habitat and 24.9 ha (1.6% of available habitat in the TSA) of preferred winter habitat. Residual effects from habitat loss and alteration from the Project will be irreversible over the long-term, confined to the Project footprint in geographic scale, and will occur continuously.

Sensory disturbance from Project construction and increased visitor use and staffing during operations could cause mule deer to avoid areas in proximity to the Project footprint (i.e., local scale). Mule deer can habituate to predictable human presence and so effects from the Project are considered to be of low magnitude. Effects will occur frequently (i.e., only during daylight or operational hours). Effects from sensory effects from construction are anticipated to be reversible in the short-term and sensory disturbance effects from operations to be reversible in the long-term.

Effects from direct habitat loss and alteration from the construction and operation of approved projects and RFDs on mule deer are predicted to be of low magnitude. The magnitude of changes from RFDs will depend on the amount of vegetation that will be removed for RFD projects. A maximum of 80 ha of skiable terrain is allowed at Sunshine but the exact amount of vegetation clearing and type of habitat to be removed is uncertain at this time. Approved projects will result in no or small changes to mule deer habitat because work will primarily occur in previously disturbed areas. Changes to habitat availability from approved and RFD projects will occur continuously at the local scale and will be irreversible over the long-term.

Effects to mule deer from sensory disturbance during construction and operation of approved projects and RFDs are anticipated to be frequent and reversible in the short-term (construction) or long-term (operations). Effects are predicted to be of low magnitude effect and confined to the local scale.

Changes to mule deer habitat availability and survival and reproduction from climate change are conservatively considered to be of moderate magnitude to account for the uncertainty regarding the potential effects of climate change. Effects from climate change will occur at the beyond regional scale, will occur continuously over the long-term, and will be irreversible.

Carnivores

Residual effects on carnivores (wolverine and Canada lynx) from habitat loss and alteration from the Project are anticipated to be of low magnitude because the Project will remove 29.3 and 30.7 ha preferred habitat (1.2% to 1.6% of its availability in the TSA), for wolverine and Canada lynx, respectively. Residual effects from habitat loss and alteration from the Project will be irreversible over the long-term, confined to the Project footprint in geographic scale, and will occur continuously.

There will be an increase in sensory disturbance at Sunshine Village during construction of the Project and from an increase in visitor use and staffing during operations. Wolverine currently avoid Sunshine Village because of light associated with the Village (Whittington 2022, pers. comm.). Increases in light levels from construction and operation of the Project are anticipated to be small and will not increase the area impacted by light from current conditions. Increases in visitor use and staff levels incrementally increase sensory disturbance levels near the Project footprint, but effects to wolverine are anticipated to be confined within the existing zone of influence around Sunshine Village (i.e., regional scale). As such, an increase in wolverine avoidance from the Project is not anticipated and the magnitude of effects is predicted to be low. Effects from sensory disturbance will occur frequently and are anticipated to be reversible in the short-term (construction) or long-term (operations).

Similar effects are anticipated for Canada lynx, except this species is less sensitive to disturbance than wolverine and so effects from sensory disturbance are anticipated to be confined to the local scale.

Direct habitat loss and alteration from the construction and operation of approved projects and RFDs is predicted to have low magnitude effects on the wolverine and lynx populations that intersect the TSA. The magnitude of changes will depend on the amount of vegetation that will be removed for RFD projects. A maximum of 80 ha of skiable terrain is allowed at Sunshine but the exact amount of vegetation clearing and type of habitat to be removed is uncertain at this time. Approved projects will result in no or small changes to wolverine and lynx habitat as work will primarily occur in previously disturbed areas. Changes to habitat availability from RFD projects will be confined to the local scale (i.e., the lease), will occur continuously over the long-term, and will be irreversible.

Changes to carnivore habitat availability from climate change are conservatively considered to be of moderate magnitude to account for the uncertainty regarding the potential effects of climate change. Changes from climate change will occur at the beyond regional scale, will occur continuously over the long-term, and will be irreversible.

Small Mammals and Bats

Residual effects on small mammals and bats from habitat loss and alteration due to the Project are anticipated to be of low magnitude because the Project will remove 0.9 to 30.7 ha, or 0.9% to 3.1%, of preferred habitat for small mammals and bats in the TSA.

Small mammals and bats are generally tolerant of human disturbance, but some species may avoid areas in proximity to the Project footprint (i.e., local scale) because of increased sensory disturbance during Project construction, as well as increased visitor use and staffing during operations. Effects from sensory disturbance from the Project are likely to be of low magnitude and will occur frequently. Effects from sensory effects from construction are anticipated to be reversible in the short-term and sensory disturbance effects from operations to be reversible in the long-term

Direct habitat loss and alteration from the construction and operation of approved projects and RFDs is predicted to have low magnitude effects on small mammals and bats, but the magnitude of changes will depend on the amount of vegetation that will be removed for RFD projects. A maximum of 80 ha of skiable terrain is allowed at Sunshine but the exact amount of vegetation clearing and type of habitat to be removed is uncertain at this time. Approved projects will result in no or small changes to small mammal and bat habitat because work will primarily occur in previously disturbed areas.

Effects to small mammals and bats from sensory disturbance during construction and operation of approved projects and RFDs are anticipated to be of low magnitude, frequent, and reversible in the short-term (construction) or long-term (operations). Effects on will be constrained to the local scale.

Changes to small mammal and bat habitat availability from climate change are conservatively considered to be of moderate magnitude to account for the uncertainty regarding the potential effects of climate change. The Project, existing and approved projects, and RFDs are not expected to have residual effects on small mammals and bats from increases in mortality after implementation of mitigation.

Birds

Residual effects on birds from habitat loss and alteration due to the Project are anticipated to be of low magnitude because the Project will remove 5.3 to 24.9 ha, or 0.9% to 1.6%, of preferred habitat for birds in the TSA.

Additional suitable habitat for birds may be lost in proximity to the Project footprint (i.e., local scale) if individuals avoid the area because of sensory disturbance from construction activities. Sensory disturbance effects from operations will not influence birds as most bird species migrate during the winter ski season. Effects from construction will occur frequently (i.e., only during daylight hours) and sensory disturbance effects are anticipated to be reversible after construction is complete (i.e., in the short-term).

Direct habitat loss and alteration from the construction and operation of approved projects and RFDs is predicted to have low magnitude effects on birds, but the magnitude of changes will depend on the amount of vegetation that will be removed for RFD projects. A maximum of 80 ha of skiable terrain is allowed at Sunshine but the exact amount of vegetation clearing and type of habitat to be removed is uncertain at this time. Regarding effects from approved and RFD projects, effects from sensory disturbance are anticipated to be frequent and short-term as effects are only anticipated during construction of projects, which will be confined to daylight hours.

Changes to bird habitat availability from climate change are conservatively considered to be of moderate magnitude to account for the uncertainty regarding the potential effects of climate change. Changes from climate change will occur at the beyond regional scale, will occur continuously over the long-term, and will be irreversible.

Upper Healy Wildlife Corridor

Wary wildlife species may avoid areas in proximity to the Project footprint (i.e., local scale) because of increased sensory disturbance during Project construction. Effects from operations is not a large concern because the corridor is considered resilient to existing development and seasonal use patterns that have remained largely unchanged for many years (PCA 2018b). However, effects from construction could impact wildlife species. Mountain goats in particular may be affected because individuals have been observed to be reluctant to enter the parking lot from the Healy Corridor if there are vehicles or construction activity in the area (PCA 2022, pers. comm.). Higher noise levels during the day may also cause wildlife to avoid areas in proximity to construction activities.

To be conservative, the overall effects from construction of the Project on the wildlife use of the corridor is considered to be of moderate magnitude. Wildlife are more likely to use the corridor during the snow-free period and effects from construction may result in temporary increases in avoidance of areas in proximity to the Project footprint during construction (i.e., local scale). Effects will occur frequently (i.e., only during daylight hours) and are anticipated to be reversible in the short-term.

Effects to wildlife use of the Upper Healy Wildlife Corridor from sensory disturbance due to construction of approved projects are anticipated to occur frequently and are anticipated to be confined to the local scale. Effects from sensory disturbance from construction are anticipated to be reversible in the short term.

The Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Site Guidelines determined that the construction and operation of the parking lot reconfiguration has the potential for considerable impact, risk or uncertainly on the Healy Wildlife Corridor; the uncertainty is primarily related to slope stability and potential growth in summer use (PCA 2018b). The parking lot reconfiguration retained slope shape by using a wire mesh/soil nail system for soil stabilization (Sunshine Village 2021b). This system is predicted to be better for allowing wildlife movement than a vertical retaining wall and is anticipated to allow vertical movement through the parking lot to the Bourgeau slopes, as well as horizontal movement along the slope (Sunshine Village 2021b). Potential effects from the operation of the parking lot reconfiguration would occur continuously and could occur at the beyond regional scale if wildlife movement through the corridor is compromised. Monitoring of goat use is ongoing and additional mitigations may be developed in the future to limit any effects. Based on the above information, the magnitude of effects from approved projects on the Upper Healy Wildlife Corridor is conservatively considered to be moderate and effects are considered reversible in the long term.

RFD projects are predicted to have low magnitude, frequent, localized effects on the Upper Healy Wildlife Corridor because most RFD projects will be constructed in areas that are away from the corridor. Effects are anticipated only during construction and to be reversible in the short-term.

Effects on Cultural Resources:

Potential effects on cultural resources were assessed and no residual effects are anticipated.

Effects on Visitor Experience, World Heritage Site Outstanding Universal Value and Regional Infrastructure Capacity:

Potential Project effects on Visitor Experience were assessed including visitor education, compatibility of visitor use, visitor safety and access, and visitor perceptions of place and wilderness. Residual effects of the Project are largely positive. Adverse residual effects are limited to sensory disturbances and hazards during construction. These adverse effects are expected to be of low to moderate magnitude during construction, and localized to the development footprint, thus not overlapping spatially with other developments in BNP.

The LRP is not expected to result in negative impacts on the ability of the elements of Outstanding Universal Value for the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site to attract and be enjoyed by visitors.

Potential Project effects on Regional Infrastructure were assessed including the road transportation system capacity, water supply, demand and downstream water quality, electrical supply and demand and staff accommodation capacity. No residual effects are predicted on VCs from increased demand resulting from Project components.

Significance of Effects:

Overall, the residual adverse effects of the Project on ecological integrity, cultural resources, visitor experience, World Heritage Site Outstanding Universal Value, and regional infrastructure VCs were assessed through the DIA process as being not significant. Cumulative effects from existing and approved projects, the Project, RFDs, and climate change on ecological integrity, cultural resources, visitor experience, World Heritage Site Outstanding Universal Value, and regional infrastructure VCs are also assessed as being not significant.

Project Benefits:

There are several benefits potentially resulting from the Project, including:

  • enhanced accessibility of ski runs and facilities
  • enhanced parking access and availability
  • enhanced visitor experience as a result of infrastructure upgrades and expansion of visitor use spaces
  • increased opportunities for visitors to access viewscapes
  • achieving Resort balance with respect to design capacities of parking, transit, commercial space, lifts, and trails


Comment on the Detailed Impact Assessment:

There are many opportunities to participate the Sunshine Village Ski Area Long-Range Plan impact assessment process. You may leave your input below in the relevant comment box.

You can also:


When reviewing the draft Detailed Impact Assessment, Parks Canada encourages you to consider the following:

  • What aspects of the environment or cultural history of the area are you most concerned about?
  • What impact to the environment or cultural history of the area are you concerned about?
  • What knowledge do you have of the environmental or cultural history, potential impacts or potential actions that might help lessen impacts of the proposal?
  • Why do you think the potential impacts you identified are important to raise?
  • Are there any other projects that you are aware of that might contribute to any cumulative effects associated with the proposal?


After the comment period closes, all comments received will be compiled, reviewed and carefully analyzed and used to inform the final versions of the Long-Range Plan and Detailed Impact Assessment for the Sunshine Village Ski Area. Finally, a report summarizing the feedback will be made public.

Please note that all comments posted below are public. If you would like to provide comments directly to Sunshine Village and Parks Canada, please email lrp@skibanff.com.

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