Sunshine Village Ski Area Long-Range Plan and Detailed Impact Assessment

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• Environmental Management and Monitoring Strategy (EMMS)

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  Introduction:

  The 2018 Site Guidelines require the development and implementation of an Environmental Management and Monitoring System (EMMS) for Sunshine Village to successfully address the immediate and long-term impacts of its products, services, and processes on the environment. The EMMS also supports the organization in meeting its statutory, contractual or policy obligations with respect to environmental practices. The EMMS is an ongoing process that both improves its efficiency and reduces the environmental impacts associated with operations and activities year-round.

  Technology investments are key to the Resort’s efforts and commitment to reduce emissions. The Resort has been and will continue to update and invest in technology solutions. Examples are included below.

  The Banff National Park Management Plan (BNPMP) provides strategic guidance which has been used to inform many components of the Resort’s EMMS.

  Each construction or development project has a specific Environmental Protect Plan (EPP) attached to the Development Permit, which includes specific monitoring, mitigation and best practices. These actionable requirements serve to manage and protect Species at Risk, aquatic health, wildlife, vegetation, soils, erosion, sedimentation, air quality, cultural resources, and the visitor experience during and after construction. The 2008 Best Management Practices play a significant roll in informing the means and methods of construction, monitoring, and restoration in connection with any development.

  The Resort’s successful transit program reduces average energy consumption per visitor. More recent construction/development such as the Sunshine Mountain Lodge and Creekside Lodge at the base area include state-of-the-art energy management systems for heating and lighting. Low flow water fixtures have been installed throughout the entire resort to conserve water.

  Several solar panels have been installed throughout the resort and on the roof of the Banff Transportation Center maintenance facility. This is the largest privately-owned solar system in the Town of Banff, installed in the summer of 2021.

  

  
  

  Solar Projects

  
  

  In the summer of 2021, a new underground stormwater management system (oil/grit separators) for the entire parking lot was installed to protect Healy Creek from parking lot runoff, vegetation and soil enhancement of the buffer between the parking lot and Healy Creek took place, and a large (bridge sized) culvert was removed from Healy Creek and replaced with a free-span bridge to enhance fish passage. An expanded recycling program is being implemented for the 21/22 ski season.

  Looking forward, improvements to the wastewater treatment plant are currently being designed by a professional consulting engineer to consistently meet the Banff National Park Management Plan Leadership Targets. This project will be implemented before completion of the Wolverine Day Lodge. The plant currently consistently meets all provincial and federal wastewater treatment requirements and standards.

  Work to update wildlife movement / monitoring data collection will be pursued collaboratively between the Resort and Parks Canada over the next five years. This will help bolster data for the next Long-Range Plan which likely includes work in previously undeveloped areas within the leasehold such as Hayes Hill and Meadow Park ski lifts and ski runs.

  Treatment of invasive vegetation species is conducted annually and will continue each summer in collaboration with Parks Canada.

  Additional solar and small wind projects are being researched and designed at this time.

  New building construction, such as the Wolverine Day Lodge, will incorporate green building design, materials, energy management, water conservation, and construction systems.

  This EMMS is based on “Sustainable Slopes, The Environmental Charter for Ski Areas”.[1] It provides an auditable system for quantitatively monitoring and periodically reporting Sunshine Village’s performance.

  
  

  The EMMS focuses on five “principals” of ski area operations.[2] They are:

  • Water use management
  • Wastewater management
  • Energy consumption (carbon emissions) management
  • Solid waste management
  • Integrated pest and invasive species management

  For each aspect:

  • The existing situation is described
  • Sunshine Village’s goals for environmental performance are stated
  • Mitigations to achieve the target are presented
  • Monitoring and reporting commitments are outlined

  Upon approval of the Long-Range Plan, a report will be created each year and provided to the public and Parks Canada, which includes, but not limited to, the measurable elements as listed in this Long-Range Plan document.

  Water Use:

  Current Situation

  Existing operations divert domestic and snowmaking water from two reservoirs above the village. A well at Bourgeau diverts water for domestic and snowmaking purposes. These sources also provide water for fire suppression. Direct diversions from Healy Creek occur for snowmaking. These uses are all under permit and are regulated by Parks Canada.

  Goals

  Sunshine Village’s goals for water consumption and wastewater release are:

  • Reduce per skier visit and per summer visit domestic water use / per year.
  • Provincial potable water criteria to be met consistently.

  Mitigation

  Water quality samples are taken and submitted to governing authorities per regulations and standards. Assure that water fixtures are low flow and upgraded, where necessary, to conserve water. Annual departmental review of best practices are part of the operational procedures.

  Monitoring

  In order to measure success in reaching the above goals, Sunshine Village monitors water use within the ski area and determines water consumed per skier visit or summer visit. An annual report will be prepared and include multi-year trends and adaptive management recommendations.

  Wastewater Management:

  Current Situation

  Sunshine Village operates its own wastewater treatment plant which treats effluent for all facilities above the base area. Wastewater from the base area facilities is hauled offsite. Currently, wastewater treatment at the plant meets provincial and federal guidelines but does not meet Parks Canada’s Leadership Target for phosphorus on a consistent basis. The Parks Canada Leadership Targets are shown in the below table.

  Banff National Park Leadership Targets for Wastewater Treatment

  Goals

  The Sunshine Village wastewater treatment plant consistently meets the Parks Canada Leadership Targets for wastewater treatment, as well as provincial standards for wastewater treatment.

  Mitigation

  Sunshine Village has applied for a Development Permit to upgrade its wastewater plant works to meet the Parks Canada Leadership Targets consistently.

  Monitoring

  Monitoring is occurring now and will continue in the future to demonstrate performance as outlined above. This information is supplied to Parks Canada monthly.

  Energy Consumption:

  Current Situation

  Sunshine Village consumes electricity to operate its facilities, lifts, etc. Sunshine Village vehicles (e.g., snow grooming machines, snowmobiles, maintenance equipment) are fuelled with diesel and gasoline.

  Goals

  Sunshine Village’s goal for energy consumption is to reduce the energy consumed per skier visit or summer visit, thereby reducing carbon emissions. Each year, power, propane, and fuel will be calculated and divided by skier visit or summer visit to determine progress.

  Mitigation

  Upgrade energy management systems and components in existing buildings such as lighting, heating and ventilation, where possible. Upgrade vehicles to more efficient technology in the replacement cycle. Review operational best practices to reduce energy consumption annually. New construction includes low energy components and systems to reduce energy consumption.

  Monitoring

  An annual report will be prepared that outlines energy consumption per skier visit and per summer visitor to determine the status / progress to meet the stated goals for energy consumption. This will be broken down by power, fuel, and propane. It will also include multi-year comparisons and adaptive management recommendations.

  Solid Waste Management:

  Current Situation

  Sunshine Village hauls solid waste from the resort each day.

  Goals

  Sunshine Village’s goal is to reduce solid waste per skier visit and per summer visitor / per year and increase the percentage of recycled waste.

  Mitigation

  On an ongoing basis, each department will evaluate its purchasing practices to reduce solid waste where possible in connection with Resort operations. Best practices will be evaluated continuously for recycling and solid waste reduction.

  Monitoring

  An annual report will be prepared which outlines solid waste and recycled waste hauled off site per skier visit and per summer visitor. This will determine the status / progress of meeting the goals for reducing solid waste and recycled waste per skier visit. This will include multi-year trends and adaptive management recommendations.

  Integrated Pest and Invasive Species Management:

  Current Situation

  Historically, Parks Canada have sent staff members up periodically to look for invasive non-native vegetation. They have also done training with Sunshine Village staff to identify and then remove the plants, which has been appreciated.

  Parks Canada released an updated Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Standard and Guideline in January 2022. This guideline requires Lessees to submit an IPM Plan for approval by the Field Unit Superintendent prior to the use of pesticides on Parks Canada Agency land and/or water.

  Goals

  Annual site survey by trained Sunshine Village staff and removal invasive non-native vegetation. Minimize any establishment and spread of weeds. This is an ongoing task.

  Mitigation

  Wash vehicles before coming on-site. This is particularly important with outside contractors’ equipment which may be carrying seeds.

  Conduct training with staff each summer for proper identification skills.

  Prior to leaving any sites where non-native vegetation is identified, cleaning equipment used for removal.

  Monitoring

  Each summer, mountain operations management walk the site in order to identify any non-native vegetation locations and coordinate removal. An annual report will be prepared each summer which outlines the activities undertaken and adaptive management recommendations. Collaboration with Parks Canada as required will occur in accordance with the IPM Plan.

  References:

  [1] 2018 Site Guidelines, supra note 1, at 45.

  [2] Ibid.

  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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• Projects Outside of the Long-Range Planning Process

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  With completion of the 2018 Site Guidelines, and in recognition that it will take time to prepare a Long-Range Plan, Parks Canada listed projects that can be brought forward for consideration in advance of a Long-Range Plan:

  • New competitive and/or large-scale public events.
  • Changes to the buffer, berming and re-vegetation to improve protection of Healy Creek adjacent to the parking lot.
  • Goat’s Eye Day Lodge subject to the objectives, growth limits, area concepts and parameters described.
  • Rock or other hazard removal on existing ski terrain in the Developed Area, to address skier or operational safety issues.
  • Improvements to existing drainage installations and new systems to reduce erosion or icing, or to protect natural drainage channels.
  • The widening and reconfiguration of the ski-out and connecting egress runs if no terrain modification is required.
  • Replacement of the current gondola and existing lifts as allowed for under the like-for-like provisions of the 2006 Ski Area Management Guidelines.
  • Modifications of existing commercial facilities if no change to commercial space requirements.
  • Modification of operational support buildings.
  • Redevelopment or replacement of maintenance buildings consistent with the 2006 Ski Area Management Guidelines.
  • Implementation of water conservation measures and technologies, and an effectiveness monitoring plan.
  • Upgrades to the existing wastewater treatment systems.
  • Solutions to reduce risks to human and / or environmental health associated with effluent discharge to ground.
  • Fiber optic installation from the TCH interchange, up the access road to the resort. This required a License of Occupation.
  • Skier-pedestrian shuttle systems or people movers within the existing base area / parking lot footprint.
  • Proposals to improve parking efficiency or capacity within the existing base area through relocation or reconfiguring existing facilities or parking space.
  • Proposals for a multi-level parking structure(s) within the existing base area parking lot footprint, which reflect design and engineering that:
    • Meets all applicable building and safety codes and performance standards as legally required and/or otherwise determined by Parks Canada.
    • Considers the landscape, visitor use patterns, and architecture of the overall base area.
    • Ensures run-off from the structure is managed in a way that prevents deleterious substances from entering Healy Creek.
    • Is sensitive to typical routes used by wildlife in accessing Upper Healy wildlife corridor.
  • Infrastructure and technologies that enhance snowmaking water efficiency and conservation without increasing overall water use.

  In the case of Sunshine Village, it was recognized that while a commitment existed for the expeditious completion of a first Long-Range Plan, certain projects needed to be pursued in advance of a Long-Range Plan. As such, Sunshine Village has applied for development and building permits for the following projects:

  • Fiber Optic Installation from the TCH Interchange to the Base Area
    • Applied for 2019, completed summer 2020.
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
    • Applied for 2021, expected completion prior to the development of the Wolverine Day Lodge.
  • Parking Lot Stormwater Management System, Buffer Enhancement, and Reconfiguration
    • Applied for 2021, completed summer 2021.
  • Base Area Parkade – 450 Stalls
    • Applied for 2021, expected to be completed in phases starting summer 2022.

  The completed 2020 Fiber Optic installation improved internet and cellular connectivity for the resort.

  The Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade is intended to allow the Resort to consistently meet the Leadership Targets under the Banff National Park Management Plan. Sunshine Village is currently working with a 3^rd party professional engineer to design the upgrades.

  The wastewater treatment plant is an extended aeration plant that was constructed in 1979 and has undergone multiple upgrades. The plant operation currently meets all provincial and federal guidelines consistently for wastewater treatment but occasionally does not meet the Banff National Park leadership target for phosphorous.

  The Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, the Parking Lot Stormwater Management System, Buffer Enhancement, are significant recent initiatives undertaken by the Company to protect Healy Creek and habitat for species of concern listed under the Species at Risk Act.

  The 2021 Parking Reconfiguration brought balance to the Resort at 6,500 SAOT.

  During the summer of 2020, and because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sunshine Village applied for development and building permits for certain facilities for health and safety reasons and social distancing. Those permits were approved by Parks Canada as temporary facilities. Those facilities are discussed further in Section 2 of the Long-Range Plan.

  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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