LAKE LOUISE, Alta. – Several former Parks Canada officials want the federal government to put the brakes on proposed new development guidelines for a ski resort in one of Canada’s best-loved parks.
Stephen Woodley, the agency’s former chief ecosystem scientist, is one of 11 one-time superintendents and directors who are concerned about the proposals for Lake Louise in Banff National Park.
He says the plans would expand the resort’s footprint into wilderness areas.
READ MORE: Environmentalists wary of Parks Canada plans for Lake Louise ski area
The letter says much of the science used to support the new guidelines is outdated and much remains unknown about the ski hill’s current impact on animals such as grizzlies.
Parks Canada has said the proposals involve a land swap that would reduce the resort’s leasehold by about 500 hectares.
Woodley says that’s an illusion because the resort wouldn’t be able to develop the land it would return to the park anyway.
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