The province could soon help decide the future development of an area conservationists and the Town of Canmore say is putting a well-used wildlife underpass in Dead Man’s Flats under threat.
So far in summer 2016, the province suggests two bears have been killed on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Calgary.
For conservationists with the Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) initiative, the area is considered a key connectivity zone for bears and other animals migrating through the Wind and Bow valleys.
“It’s one of those places we need to keep animals moving through if we want to keep them surviving,” Stephen Legault with Y2Y said.
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The wildlife underpass near Pigeon Creek was built in 2004 as part of the Federal Legacy Program. The $2-million project is believed to have reduced wildlife deaths on the Trans-Canada by 90 per cent, but it isn’t perfect.
Noise and other factors can drive animals to cross in more dangerous locations. That’s why a possible industrial development at the foot of the underpass is causing concern.
“There will only be a matter of metres on the other side of this for animals to move around what would be a light industrial park,” Legault said.
“Our concern is that will literally put a cork in this underpass and make this useless.”
The Municipal District of Bighorn said no firm plans for the site are yet in place and suggests the proposal is a matter of economic sustainability for the region.
“The demand for light industrial land is being met right now, but say five or ten years down the road, there may be more demand for more land in the valley for that purpose. And we want to be front and centre, ready to go when the demand increases,” Martin Buckley, the chief administrative officer for the M.D. said. “Yes, there would be some impact – but that impact could be mitigated.”
Either way, it’s become a conflict between two municipalities – with the Town of Canmore launching a provincial appeal.
“When the area structure plan was given the third and final reading, our only option then was to appeal to the Municipal Government Board,” Canmore Mayor John Borrowman said. “I hope that the panel will see the critical value of protecting the wildlife corridors.”
It could be weeks or months before the board makes a decision.
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