The Parks Canada Agency Act (1998), established an Agency “for the purpose of ensuring that Canada's national parks, national historic sites and related heritage areas are protected and represented for this and future generations and in order to further the achievement of the national interest as it is related to those parks, sites and heritage areas and related programs.”
- Parks Canada's Guiding Principles and Operational Policies
- The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (1992)
- The Species at Risk Act (2002)
- The Fisheries Act (1985)
- The Migratory Birds Convention Act ( 1994)
4f Administrative and management arrangements
For Glacier:
Glacier National Park is a unit of the US NPS. Day-to-day management is directed by the Park Superintendent who supervises a staff of 101 full-time employees organized into 6 divisions (Administration, Interpretation, Resource Management, Facility Management, Project Management and Concessions Management). The Superintendent oversees management of the park on a day-to-day basis. The Superintendent reports to a Regional Director, who reports to the Director of the NPS.
Management direction for the park comes from the statutes and regulations cited in section 4e above. Management direction is also provided by Management Policies prepared by the headquarters office of the US NPS (US Dept of Interior, National Park Service, 2000, Management Policies- 2001, Washington DC).
Glacier National Park is 410,187 hectares (1 013 594 acres) in total area. The owner of all of this area is the Government of the United States with the exception of approximately 155 hectares (387 acres) of land that remains as privately owned lots. Private landowners within the park pay local property taxes and are subject to local jurisdictions for zoning, water and sewer standards etc.
The International Boundary Commission has administrative authority over the 63 km (39 miles) of international border between the two parks. This authority is limited to a 6 metre (20 feet) strip within Glacier on the United States side of the border, and within Waterton Lakes on the Canadian side of the border.
The Montana Department of Transportation has management authority for 6 km (3.7 miles) of federal highway (US Highway 2) within the park and located near the park's southern border. This highway right-of-way is 18 metres (66 feet).
For law enforcement purposes, the federal government has exclusive jurisdiction on all lands within the park boundaries with the exception of the 6 km of U.S. Highway 2 where the State of Montana and the federal government have concurrent jurisdiction.
For Waterton Lakes:
Day-to-day management of Waterton Lakes is directed by the Field Unit Superintendent who reports via the Executive Director of Mountain Parks and Director General, Western and Northern Canada to the Chief Executive Officer of the Parks Canada Agency. Management direction for the park comes from the acts and regulations cited in Section 4e, as well as by the Guiding Principles and Operational Policies (1994) and the Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada Management Plan (2000).
Waterton Lakes National Park is 52,500 hectares (129 728 acres) in total area. The owner of all of this area is the Government of Canada. All privately occupied land in the park is leased from the government. All highways are owned and maintained by the Government of Canada.
For Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site:
A Memorandum of Understanding between the US NPS and Parks Canada provides for cooperation in management, research, protection, conservation and presentation of the shared International Peace Park and World Heritage Site. Management and operations of the two parks are coordinated.
4g Significant changes in management regime since inscription
None at Glacier.
Waterton Lakes National Park is managed according to the Canada National Parks Act of 2000 which strengthens the commitment to preserving ecological integrity.
4h Management plan
There is a management plan in place for the site.
Summary of management plan
There is no single integrated management plan for the World Heritage Site but management objectives and policies for the two parks are similar and management is coordinated.
For Glacier:
Management plans are required by law for all US National Parks. Glacier's 1999 General Management Plan (GMP) provides that the park will continue to be managed for its wild character and for the integrity of Glacier's unique natural and cultural heritage, while continuing traditional visitor services and facilities. Approximately 95 per cent of the park will continue to be managed as wilderness. (US Dept of Interior, National Park Service, 1999, Glacier National Park, Final General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement)
The GMP focuses on eight critical issues facing the park over the next 20 years and provides direction as to how each issue will be addressed by park managers. These issues include: visitor use on the Going-to-the-Sun road; preservation of the Going-to-the-Sun Road; preservation of historic hotels and visitor services; eliminating scenic air tours over the park; banning personal watercraft from all park waters; managing increased winter use; building removal from the Divide Creek flood plain; and constructing a West Side Discovery Center and Museum. A complete copy of the 1999 GMP is available at www.nps.gov/glac/home.htm
For Waterton Lakes:
All Canadian national parks are required by law to have a current management plan which is reviewed at least every five years. The most recent Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada Management Plan was approved in May, 2000. It stresses the maintenance and restoration of ecological integrity, encourages regional coordination and places a cap on development within the park. This revised management plan will guide the overall direction of the park for the next 10 to 15 years. The objectives of the plan are to:
- Set out a vision for the future;
- Preserve and strengthen the ecological integrity of the park in a way that integrates ecological, social, and economic values;
- Promote high quality visitor experiences based on the park's ecological and cultural heritage;
- Establish clear limits to development associated with appropriate activities;
- Support Parks Canada's initiative to renew heritage presentation; and
- Involve others in protecting the shared ecosystem.
Parks Canada has adopted “ecosystem-based management.” It is a holistic approach that involves working with others to achieve common goals. Multi-disciplinary in nature, it seeks to integrate biological, physical and social information. The goal is a healthy park, environmentally, economically and socially, within a broader regional landscape.
The park management plan can be accessed on the website at:
http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/waterton/plan/plan1E
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
4i Annual operating budget
$ 11,103,000 (US dollars for FY03) [Glacier] ; $4,104,000 (Can dollars for FY03) [Waterton Lakes]
STAFFING LEVELS (HUMAN RESOURCES)
4j Staffing levels
Full time: 153
Part time: 10
Seasonal: 410
Other: 109
The figures above are the combined staffing level totals for both Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park.
Full time: 117 Glacier 36 Waterton
Part time: 5 Glacier 5 Waterton
Seasonal: 380 Glacier 30 Waterton
Other: 32 Glacier 77 Waterton
Staffing at Glacier is divided into 6 divisions: administration (21 employees), interpretation and education (11 employees), science and resource management (18 employees), facility management (64 employees), concession management (3 employees) and visitor services (37 employees). In addition, there are approximately 100 individuals who work as seasonal volunteers, and approximately 750 employees who work seasonally for concession businesses.
Staffing at Waterton Lakes consists of: administration (15 positions), resource conservation (40 positions), visitor services and communications (44 positions); and townsite and technical services (19 positions). “Other” includes volunteers and students.
SOURCES OF EXPERTISE AND TRAINING IN CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
4k Sources of specialized expertise, training and services
For Glacier:
- Denver Service Center (regional US NPS staff with specialized expertise in such areas as cultural resources, compliance, engineering, writing and editing).
- Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Study Unit (provides research and resource management assistance to Glacier by faculty and graduate students at participating colleges and universities)
- Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey (research scientists stationed at Glacier specializing in natural sciences)
- Flathead Lake Biological Station (University of Montana unit specializing in fresh water ecological research)
- Harpers Ferry Center (US NPS unit that develops interpretive materials for parks)
- Mather and Albright Training Centers (for US NPS employees)
- Miistakis Institute for the Rockies (University of Calgary affiliated organization providing ecosystem based services to governments, industry, and the conservation community)
- Many of Glacier's permanent staff have advanced college degrees, particularly in the biological sciences. Currently, two permanent staff members have PhD's; one in fisheries and one in oceanography.
For Waterton Lakes:
- Western Canada Service Centre (regional national parks staff with specialized expertise in cultural resources, environmental assessments, townsite planning etc.)
- Parks Canada National Office (parks staff with national specialized expertise in policy, international relations etc.)
- Miistakis Institute for the Rockies
- Various universities through Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) and directed research opportunities
- Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (provincial government staff who conduct shared wildlife surveys)
VISITATION
4l Visitor statistics available
Visitor statistics are available for the site.
Annual visitation, methodology and trends
The annual visitation at Glacier in 2002 was 1,905,681. The trend in visitation numbers at Glacier since inscription in 1995 has remained at a relatively stable level. Numbers have ranged from a low of 1.68 million to a high of 1.90 million with no clear up or down trend.
Traffic counters are installed at 8 park entrance locations in Glacier; numbers are reduced by bicycles, non-recreation vehicles and duplicate re-entries (a multiplier of 2.9 visitors\vehicle is applied at most of these entrance sites). Visitation statistics and the methodology used to calculate for Glacier can be accessed on the WEB at www.nature.nps.gov/stats
The visitation in Waterton Lakes in 2002 was 406,081. Visitation since 1995 has increased about 6 per cent, with an apparent peak in 1999. Numbers have ranged from a low of 347,000 to a high of 425,000. A traffic counter is installed at one entrance location in Waterton Lakes and the actual numbers of cyclists and bus passengers are also recorded.
4m Visitor facilities
Visitor service areas of the International Peace Park are indicated on a map in the Waterton-Glacier Guide. The Waterton-Glacier Guide may be viewed by visitors at entrance stations, at the visitor centers, and at park headquarters. A copy of the Waterton-Glacier Guide is enclosed and may also be viewed at the Glacier National Park website http://www.nps.gov/glac/home.htm. (to view the Guide click on “maps and brochures”). The guide is a general park informational brochure that is updated three times annually. Glacier has accommodations for approximately 1,700 guests at lodging facilities accessible by automobile. Waterton Lakes has accommodations for approximately 1,300 persons at public lodgings in the park. Glacier has 1,021 individual campground sites accessible by automobile. Waterton Lakes has 391 individual campsites (located in three road-accessible campgrounds). Locations of park campgrounds are identified in the Waterton-Glacier Guide. In addition Glacier maintains 2 backcountry chalets accessible only by trail that provide overnight accommodations. Glacier maintains 1,202 km (747 miles) of backcountry trails and 65 backcountry campgrounds. Descriptions of these campgrounds are found in the park's Backcountry Guide. A copy of the Backcountry Guide may be viewed at the park's website http://www.nps.gov/glac/activities/bcguide1.htm. Waterton Lakes maintains 210 km (130 miles) of trails and 9 backcountry campgrounds. Other facilities and services include roads, riding stables, boat tours, restaurants, grocery stores and gift shops.
See also section 4t.
4n Tourism/visitor management plan
There is a tourism/visitor management plan in place for the site.
Summary of tourism/visitor management plan
The tourism/visitor management plan for the site is part of the management plans for the two national parks.
For Glacier:
Glacier's 1999 General Management Plan (GMP) states that visitor use will be managed to preserve park resources along with a broad range of opportunities for people to experience, understand, learn about, and enjoy the park. The plan divides the park into six geographic areas, each with its own management philosophy and anticipated visitor experience. The six geographic areas are further divided into four areas: the visitor service zone, the day use zone, the rustic zone and the backcountry zone.
Several of the critical issues for which management direction is provided in the GMP specifically involve tourism and visitor management.
- Visitor Use on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The NPS will continue to protect the Going-to-the-Sun road as a national historic landmark, retaining the historic character of the road and thus maintaining its traditional use. Visitors will continue to have the freedom to drive personal vehicles. An efficient public transportation system will continue and be improved. A comprehensive use plan will be developed to address the increasing use of the road corridor.
- Preservation of Historic Hotels and Visitor Services. The NPS will insure the integrity of the historic structures and provide for the preservation of these important elements of America's cultural heritage. Funding will be sought for a comprehensive rehabilitation effort to preserve the national historic landmarks and the park's other historic lodging. The NPS will explore alternatives for funding the rehabilitation of the buildings. A visitor services plan will be developed that will incorporate the economic feasibility of rooms, room numbers and services. The value of the concessionaire's possessory interest will be determined. The NPS will ensure the design integrity of any new facilities with the historic structures and will upgrade utilities, housing for concession employees, accessibility, and infrastructure where applicable.
- Scenic Air Tours. The NPS will request that the Federal Aviation Administration prohibit all commercial sightseeing tours over the park. A scenic air tour management plan will be developed if provided for and directed by law.
- Personal Watercraft. The NPS will permanently ban personal watercraft from all park waters.
- Winter Use. The NPS will respond to an increase in winter use only within the existing facilities and/or infrastructure. Adequate parking and restroom facilities will be provided where appropriate. The NPS will mitigate impacts on wildlife that may result from increased visitor use during the winter.
- West Side Discovery Center and Museum. The NPS will construct a “discovery” center and museum inside the park in the vicinity of the T-intersection north of the West Glacier entrance station that will concentrate development in the Apgar area. The center will also serve the educational community, and interpretive needs to introduce and educate visitors about park values.
A complete copy of the 1999 GMP is available at www.nps.gov/glac/home.htm
The 2004 Commercial Services Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (CSP) will help Glacier National Park determine the overall mix, types, and level of services to be offered to visitors in various areas of the park, and also to determine the maximum number of rooms to be offered in the park. The CSP and related studies provide an implementation strategy for rehabilitation of the historic hotels and commercial facilities in the park. The plan also provides information and environmental compliance that will allow the park to proceed with rehabilitation efforts. The CSP implements one of the decisions in Glacier's General Management Plan and will be used to guide park management for the next 20 years or more. Glacier National Park's CSP is currently available at www.nps.gov/glac/home.htm.
The CSP defines those commercial services that are necessary and appropriate; presents alternatives for those services; and analyzes the impacts of providing such services in the park. It also presents alternatives for each developed area that contains commercial services including alternatives to address housing and other support needs. Alternatives were also analyzed in the CSP for commercial services that are not restricted to a specific geographical location such as guided underwater diving, day hiking, and backpacking. Alternatives were also analyzed for commercial services and their support needs that occur in each of the park's developed areas. The biggest changes that are proposed by this plan include additional employee housing at Many Glacier, rearranging guest lodging and employee housing at Lake McDonald, Rising Sun and Swiftcurrent, completing the historic cabin loops at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, and alternative levels of service for Granite Park Chalet. Other changes include allowing guides to accompany visitors in their private cars, limiting party sizes for commercially guided hiking parties and bicycle tours, adding guided underwater diving services and providing firewood sales in campgrounds.
For Waterton Lakes:
Guidance for visitor management is included in the 2000 Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada Management Plan which addresses opportunities for public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment while maintaining ecological integrity. Some of the key strategic goals identified are:
- A well-informed tourism industry respects the social and ecological values of Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada;
- Appropriate facilities and services allow visitors with varying interests to enjoy the park;
- Canadians and their international guests appreciate and understand the nature and history of Waterton Lakes National Park, the role the park plays in Canada's national parks system, and its international significance; and
- Visitors experience the park without impairing its ecological and commemorative integrity.
The plan continues the provision of picnic areas, campgrounds, parkways, the golf course, hiking and horse riding opportunities and boating on Waterton and Cameron Lakes.
For Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site:
In 1999 the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Heritage Tourism Strategy was developed by the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Heritage Tourism Council, which is a partnership of both national parks and numerous stakeholders, including regional tourism associations and businesses, aboriginal groups, and provincial/state agencies. The primary aim of the strategy is to sustain the International Peace Park as a tourism destination by preserving and celebrating the beauty and ecological integrity of the park and encouraging the same goal in surrounding areas. There are four linked objectives:
- To make all visitors and residents aware they are in a national park, International Peace Park and World Heritage Site by actively fostering appreciation and understanding of the nature, history and culture of the peace park and surrounding areas;
- To protect the Crown of the Continent ecosystem by encouraging environmental stewardship initiatives upon which sustainable heritage tourism depends;
- To encourage, develop and promote viable opportunities, products and services where they are appropriate and consistent with heritage and environmental values; and
- To strengthen employee orientation, training and accreditation programming as it relates to sharing heritage understanding with visitors.
SCIENTIFIC STUDIES
4o Key scientific studies and research programs
For Glacier:
- Monitoring bear populations in Glacier National Park and surrounding Northern Continental Divide areas using DNA
- Big horn sheep ecology and conservation in Glacier National Park
- Global climate change research - a focus on mountain ecosystems
- Post-fire burn assessment by remote sensing by NPS
- Glacier retreat in Glacier National Park
- Amphibian research monitoring initiative:Rocky Mountain region
- Whitebark pine and limber pine ecology
- Restoring whitebark and limber pine communities in Glacier National Park
- Biocomplexity in the Environment: Emergent Properties of Alluvial River Flood Plains
- Predator-prey ecology studies in the North Fork of the Flathead River valley
For Waterton Lakes:
- Ecological land classification of Waterton Lakes National Park; integrated resource description and wildlife
- The historic role of fire in Waterton Lakes National Park
- Estimating population size of grizzly bears using hair capture and DNA fingerprinting in Southwest Alberta
- Movement and status of bull trout in the Belly River of Alberta and Montana
- Genetic population structure of cutthroat trout and rainbow trout in Banff and Waterton Lakes National Park
- Arachnida inventory project in WLNP
- Ongoing studies of the sedimentary geology of selected stratigraphic units of the Belt-Purcell Supergroup, Waterton Lakes National Park
- Macro-invertebrate and zooplankton biodiversity in lakes, ponds and rivers in Waterton Lakes National Park
- Dendroclimatological investigations of Douglas fir in Waterton Lakes National Park
For Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site:
- International Peace Park vegetation mapping project
Use of results of scientific studies and research programs
The managers of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site use the results of scientific studies in many aspects of their job. Examples include:
- protection of threatened and endangered species (predator-prey ecology studies involving the gray wolf; population studies of the grizzly bear)
- resource restoration (studies involving whitebark and limber pine ecology and their restoration; planning for prescribed fires; post-fire burn assessments)
- cultural resource protection (studies that led to the designation of the Going-to-the Sun Road as a National Historic Landmark and to the addition of over 100 park structures on the National Register of Historic Places)
- interpretation of the resource for park visitors (climate change studies, ethnographic studies)
- wildlife habitat monitoring and management (vegetation mapping project)
- successional patterns of vegetation
Role of WHS designation in design of scientific studies and research programs
Glacier National Park has used the World Heritage Site designation to help justify new research projects and programs. Examples include the Crown of the Continent Learning Center and the Transboundary Policy, Planning, and Management Program and the Global Climate Change Research Program referenced in section 4o of this report. Many researchers capitalize on the opportunity to conduct research in both parks collaboratively. Waterton Lakes National Park highlights the World Heritage Site in interagency discussions with neighbouring jurisdictions, to emphasize the significance of ecological integrity and the need for coordinated research and management of resource issues.
EDUCATION, INFORMATION AND AWARENESS BUILDING
4p WHS plaque
There is a plaque at the site indicating that it is a World Heritage Site.
4q Use of WHC logo
The World Heritage Convention logo is not used on all publications for the site.
4r Educational programs for schools
There are educational programs about the site's World Heritage values aimed at schools.
Description of educational programs for schools
Programs cover the full range of national park themes and include references to World Heritage Site status.
For Glacier:
- winter ecology program for local schools - daily snowshoe trips in spring and fall offered by Glacier National Park staff
- presentations by Glacier staff in local schools, including those on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation (First Nations)
- Glacier Institute environmental education classes held within Glacier National Park
- development of a science education program called “Work House” regarding the natural and human aspects of Glacier National Park developed for use in Native American (First Nation) classrooms.
- establishment of a Crown of the Continent Learning Center at Glacier National Park that includes a strong outreach component to local schools as well as in-park learning opportunities, teacher workshops, computer lab, and student internships.
For Waterton Lakes:
- Waterton Lakes National Park offers both in-park and classroom-based programs for local and regional schools on a variety of topics
- teachers' guides are available that provide background information for educators as well as suggestions for pre- and post-visit activities
- the Waterton Resource Guide is a complete source of reference materials about the park; it is available in both official languages and in three different versions for educational use
- Waterton Lakes National Park's website is designed to provide educators with quick and easy access to information about the park's natural and cultural history, maps, recreational information and links to other related resources.
4s Special events and exhibitions
There are special events and exhibitions concerning the site's World Heritage values.
Description of special events and exhibitions
For Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site:
- annual 3-day Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Superintendent's hike (local stakeholders invited from USA and Canada)
- annual Rotary International Peace Park assembly (sponsored by the Great Falls, Montana and Calgary, Alberta Rotary International clubs)
- International Peace Park hike on trail alongside Upper Waterton Lake that crosses the international border (hike is led by an interpreter from Glacier and an interpreter from Waterton Lakes)
- interpreter exchanges for public programs between Glacier and Waterton
- Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Ambassador Program - workbook that provides information about the International Peace Park, including purpose, significance and special designations; used in staff orientation programs
- Year of the Great Bear, an international initiative to highlight the significance of the Rocky Mountains for grizzly bear protection
- International Year of Mountains, a United Nations' program to recognize the ecological and cultural importance of mountains
- International Year of Fresh Water and the Wonder of Water initiative, a United Nations' program to emphasize the universal value of water
4t Facilities, visitor centre, site museum, trails, guides, information materials
Glacier National Park has 2 museum/archive facilities housing a total of approximately 400,000 museum collection and archival items. Waterton Lake ational Park's archival collection houses approximately 100 historical objects, as well as 7000 historic photographs, negatives, aerial photographs and other documentary records. In addition, there are over 13,648 items in the park's archaeological/floral/faunal specimen collection.
Visitor centers provide a full range of interpretive and informational materials.
For Glacier:
Apgar Visitor Center
Logan Pass Visitor Center
St.Mary's Visitor Center
For Waterton Lakes:
Waterton Park Visitor Reception Centre
4u Role of WHS designation in education, information and awareness building activities
The meaning and importance of the World Heritage Site designation are explained in a number of important ways to visitors to the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Both parks use the designation to highlight the values of the site with a variety of audiences:
- in the text of the Waterton-Glacier Guide that is provided to all park visitors;
- in the text of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Ambassador Program. The Ambassador Program is a short textbook that provides a basic understanding of the purpose and significance of the International Peace Park and a familiarity with its natural and cultural heritage. The Ambassador Program textbook is used as a training and reference source for the staff of the International Peace Park as well as by concessionaires and others who provide visitor services in and adjacent to the International Peace Park;
- as a component of the Waterton-Glacier Heritage Tourism Strategy that promotes the linkage of sustainable ecosystems and sustainable businesses in the Waterton-Glacier area;
- as a topic in the International Peace Park hike that is led by interpreters from both Glacier and Waterton Lakes. During this hike the interpreters explore with participants, the meaning of such designations as International Peace Park, International Biosphere Reserve, and World Heritage Site;
- in general interpretive programs for the public, agency presentations to the public and to stakeholders; and
- to highlight importance of the area in intervenor hearings.
5 FACTORS AFFECTING THE PROPERTY
5a Development Pressures
The World Heritage Site nomination identified external threats having the potential to adversely affect park wildlife populations, air and water quality and aesthetic values. These included: logging and hydrocarbon exploration occurring along the periphery and an open pit coal mine proposed near the International Peace Park periphery. The nomination also discusses bear mortality caused by grain spills on the railroad tracks along Glacier's southern border and it discusses actions taken by the International Peace Park in support of regional land use planning.
Actions and plans to address these factors include:
Logging and hydrocarbon development:
Some of the land adjacent to the International Peace Park is managed for multiple use including logging and hydrocarbon development. These lands include those managed by tribal (First Nations), provincial, state, crown, federal and private owners. In the 8 years since inscription, logging and hydrocarbon development on adjacent lands has remained stable with the exception of a short-term increase in salvage logging on lands adjacent to GLAC that were burned in recent wildfires.
International Peace Park managers address logging and hydrocarbon development by participating in the planning processes of the agencies responsible for such lands and by participating in ecosystem management initiatives as described in section 3b1. Examples include providing technical comments on proposed amendments to the Flathead National Forest Plan (USA) and participation in the provincial meetings regarding the development of the Southern Rocky Mountains Management Plan for the South East Kootenay region of British Columbia (Canada).
Open pit coal mining:
In the early 1980's, a strip mining operation was proposed in the Province of British Columbia, close to Glacier's western boundary. This development would have included two large open pit coalmines on Cabin Creek, a tributary of the Flathead River, which forms a boundary of the park. Canada and the United States agreed to refer the issue to the International Joint Commission (IJC). The Commission was charged with studying the issue and reporting back to the two national governments. The Commission's 1989 report, based on 4 years of study, advised that the mine not proceed because of the uncertainty of mitigation and potential for long-term degradation. The IJC also emphasized the need for a bi-national initiative to develop sustainable management strategies for the whole watershed.
The proposed coal strip mine has consequently not gone ahead, and the IJC recommendations have been instrumental in driving ecosystem-based management on both sides of the border.
Two of these initiatives include the Flathead Basin Commission and the North Fork of the Flathead Strategic Planning Process. Subsequent to inscription, the Province of British Columbia has completed an intensive planning process for lands that include the Flathead River drainage in Canada. This process resulted in greater predictability as to how lands would be managed in this watershed and included comments from both Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park and from the Flathead Basin Commission. Also, subsequent to inscription, the state of Montana and the Province of British Columbia have signed an Environmental Cooperation Agreement that will result in a workplan being developed to address transboundary environmental issues, including management of the Flathead River in British Columbia and Montana.
Bear mortality caused by grain spills on railroad tracks:
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad forms part of the southern boundary of the International Peace Park. Problems with grain spills along these tracks caused a mortality sink for grizzly and black bears. Glacier National Park encouraged the railroad to improve the quality of the rail lines in this corridor and to intensively clean up past grain spills. The park also provided leadership by having the Burlington Northern Environmental Stewardship Area partnership (since renamed the Great Northern Environmental Stewardship Area (GNESA)) established in 1991 and, subsequently, in obtaining funding for a grizzly bear management specialist. This specialist works with the railroad and other stakeholders to coordinate grizzly bear management efforts in the area.
The GNESA partnership includes state, federal and local governmental agencies, local businesses, and residents. Efforts of this partnership have helped reduce the number of bear casualties in the rail and highway corridor that parallels the southern boundary of Glacier. Since inscription, GNESA has also secured funding to employ an executive director. Recent accomplishments include: continued funding for a bear management biologist, coordination of a river permitting conference, initiation of a comprehensive mapping project, the use of new technology to haze bears away from rail trestles, and securing funding for an education program regarding how residents of this corridor can minimize bear-human conflicts on their property.
Regional land use planning:
Some privately owned lands adjacent to the International Peace Park are being subdivided and developed for homesites and commercial use. Since inscription, actions to address this issue include:
- continued participation by the International Peace Park in local government planning processes for privately held land adjacent to the International Peace Park. US NPS emphasis continues to be to secure protection for riparian habitat, winter range, wildlife corridors, and aesthetics as well as protecting air and water quality. Since 1994, zoning regulations have been adopted for privately owned lands in the Flathead River drainage adjacent to Glacier (see section 3b1). The focus of Waterton Lakes has been on influencing the maintenance of agricultural landscapes and minimizing fragmented residential development;
- International Peace Park collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, Canada, and The Nature Conservancy of Montana to seek non-governmental solutions to protect the natural integrity of privately owned lands adjacent to the International Peace Park. Park staff work with these non-government organizations to identify values at risk and to provide educational opportunities for potential donors. The non-government organizations sought and received funding from private sources to purchase properties in fee or to protect them via conservation easements;
- formation of the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem Managers Partnership in 2001 (see section 3b1); and
- continued support for the Waterton Biosphere Association and associated initiatives.
Work continues on these various initiatives and no new concerns are evident.
5b Environmental Pressures
The World Heritage Site nomination for Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park did not identify environmental pressures.
Current environmental pressures on the International Peace Park include:
Air quality: related to criterion (iii). Currently, air quality in the International Peace Park is good however visibility is occasionally marred by airborne particulate matter including smoke and dust. Sulfuric compounds from industrial emissions can also contribute to local haze and health concerns. Glacier is designated as a class I area under the U.S. Clean Air Act which gives the park manager an affirmative obligation to protect air resources from external effects. International Peace Park managers strive to maintain air quality by participating in the permitting processes of adjacent agencies and industries. Changes in air quality are detected through an extensive monitoring program (see 6b1).
Water Quality:related to criterion (ii). Currently water quality in International Peace Park is very good. For the most part the International Peace Park occupies the upper reaches of drainage basins. Baseline monitoring in 1984-1990 (see 6b1) documented that Glacier National Park lakes tend to have low dissolved solids and low buffering capacity, thus making them sensitive to acidic deposition and phosphorus loading respectively. Glacier's managers strive to maintain water quality by participating in the permitting processes of adjacent agencies and industries including the Flathead Basin Commission, a regional water quality partnership.
Detailed water quality monitoring information exists for Waterton Lakes dating from 1972-1986, and for 1989-90. Generally, water quality in the park is good to excellent, with no deterioration (and some improvement) noted over the monitoring period. Specific concerns include some trace accumulations of pesticides in park lakes, derived from atmospheric sources.
Climate change:related to criterion (ii). Climate change has and will continue to have important impacts to the International Peace Park natural resources. Scientific data collected in Glacier indicates that park glaciers have shrunk dramatically over the past century; that the park's tree line is creeping higher in elevation; that the alpine tundra zone is shrinking, and that subalpine meadows are filling in with tree species. The ecological significance of losing the park's glaciers is likely affecting stream baseflow in late summer and increasing water temperatures thus influencing the distribution and behavior of aquatic organisms and food webs. While managers of the International Peace Park are not in a position to affect global climate change through their management actions, the extensive monitoring occurring within Glacier National Park (see 6b1) will help clarify the impacts of climate change on the park and thus help prompt action by State Parties to slow or reverse this global problem.
5c Natural Disasters and Preparedness
The World Heritage Site nomination for Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park did not discuss natural disasters and preparedness.
Potential natural disasters in the International Peace Park include wildfire, flooding and avalanche. In particular they can influence criteria (ii) and (iii). As they are natural events, the results are not necessarily negative.
Actions and plans to address these factors include:
In Glacier:
- plans to remove administrative, housing and maintenance facilities from the Divide Creek flood plain to location(s) out of the flood plain in order to reduce the manipulation of fluvial processes
- plans to remove dormitories from Snyder Creek flood plain to reduce the manipulation of fluvial processes
- plans for streambank stabilization in the Rising Sun and Two Medicine Developed areas
In Waterton Lakes:
- relocation of the Parks Canada storage area from Blakiston Creek alluvial fan to the government compound to reduce the manipulation of fluvial processes
- continued access on Blakiston Fan to day use facilities in ways that respect the dynamic nature of the alluvial fan.
5d Visitor/Tourism Pressures
The World Heritage Site nomination for Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park stated that continuing growth in visitation levels had resulted in demands for new overnight accommodations, sewage disposal facilities, and administrative expansion. These can influence criteria (ii) and (iii). The management plans for both parks have objectives for the provision of facilities in ways which minimize the disruption of natural processes.
Since inscription occurred in 1995:
- No significant changes in the number of lodging accommodations have occurred within Glacier National Park and no significant changes are anticipated in the future. The Glacier National Park Commercial Services Plan provides for continuing approximately 500-540 lodging units parkwide, in addition to lodging provided at the park's backcountry chalets and lodging on private lands within the park. www.nps.gov/glac/home.htm
- Several new lodging accommodations have been constructed in the park gateway communities of Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls. Such growth is anticipated to continue.
- Glacier is currently constructing a new wastewater treatment plant for public and private facilities in the Lake McDonald area. New sewer and water lines are being installed in this same area. Other sewage disposal and water facilities throughout the park have been maintained on a regular basis.
- Additional fixed roof accommodation (110 units) was developed in the Waterton community in 1997 (for a total of 415 units). This development was restricted to the existing community. A proposal to double the capacity of the Prince of Wales Hotel, outside the community boundary, was rejected.
- In 2000, Parks Canada put in place legislation and regulations to prevent any future increases in commercial development.
- To minimize the impact of displacing commercial development, Waterton Lakes National Park has worked closely with non-government organizations and land owners to prevent additional development of private property near the park boundary (see 3b1 above).
- The management plan for Waterton Lakes National Park requires the investigation of options to use sewage for irrigation purposes on the golf course in Waterton Lakes and eliminate all discharge in aquatic environments.
5e Number of inhabitants within property, buffer zone
There is a small and stable population within the World Heritage Site. Surrounding areas within a few hours travel time of the site are experiencing steady population growth. These areas provide the majority of visitors and continued increases in visitor numbers are expected. Continued management attention is required to ensure no adverse effect on criteria (ii) and (iii). Actions are detailed in 3b1, 4h1, 4n1, 4o1 and 4u.
- In 2003, there were approximately 50 permanent residents within Glacier National Park and 60 permanent residents in Waterton Lakes National Park.
- Glacier is included in Flathead and Glacier counties, Montana, USA. In 2000, the populations of these counties were 74,471 and 13,247 respectively. The population of Flathead County grew 25.8 per cent between 1990 and 2000 while the population of Glacier County grew 9.3 per cent during the same decade.
- The Southwest Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada, had an estimated population of 18,000 in 2000. This region borders Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park to the west and northwest respectively.
- The population in South West Alberta towns and rural municipalities (Pincher Creek, Cardston, Willow Creek, Crowsnest Pass and First Nations) is approximately 36,000 residents. The City of Lethbridge has approximately 72,000 residents (130 km from park) while the City of Calgary has approximately 1 million residents (250 km from park).
5f Other
Not applicable.
6 MONITORING
ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MONITORING PROPERTY
6a Formal monitoring program
There is a formal monitoring program established for the site.
Description of formal monitoring program
- Air quality
Air quality monitoring at Glacier involves a number of partners including: the NPS's Air Quality Division, the State of Montana, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory at Colorado State University, the National Atmospheric Deposition Program at the Illinois State Water Survey, and the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company. Air quality monitoring began at Glacier in 1970 when a fluoride-monitoring program was established.
For Glacier:
Dry deposition data are available at http://www.epa.gov/castnet
Wet deposition data are available at http://nadp.sws.uinc.edu
Visibility data are available at http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/IMPROVE/Data/DataQuery /IMP_Aer_Data_Access.asp
Ozone data are available at http://www2.nature.nps.gov/ard/gas/netdata1.htm
Fluoride data are archived at Glacier, contact: Superintendent_GLAC@nps.gov
- Water quality
Water quality monitoring at Glacier includes the following partners: the Flathead Lake Biological Station (University of Montana) the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the State of Montana, the Flathead Basin Commission and citizen volunteers. An important background document is the paper “Monitoring of selected lakes in Glacier National Park from 1984-1990: (Ellis, B.K., J.A.,Stanford, et al, 1992 Open File Report 129-92, National Park Service, Glacier National Park, West Glacier, Montana. Flathead Lake Biological Station, the University of Montana, Polson). Periodic sampling of selected lakes and streams in Glacier National Park from 1997 to the present can be found at the following websites: http://www.umt.edu/biology/flbs/Research/WaterQual.htm and http://www.umt.edu/biology/flbs/Sentinel/WaterQual.htm#VMP
Waterton Lakes monitors for fecal coliforms at eight locations during the operating season and at three locations during the fall/winter season.
- Amphibians
Glacier monitors changes in number of breeding sites of boreal toads. Partners: Rocky Mountain region, U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, Montana, http://www.fort.usgs.gov/research/rarmi/rarmi_intro.asp.
Waterton Lakes monitors 20 index sites for the presence/absence of a suite of amphibian species: boreal toad, long-toed salamander, northern leopard frog, spotted frog, tiger salamander, and boreal chorus frog. An annual report is available from Waterton Lakes.
- Trail, campsite, and river monitoring
At Glacier, the following parameters are monitored annually: overnight use, day use, trail conditions, backcountry campground conditions and limits of acceptable change standards on Flathead Wild and Scenic River. The US Forest Service and Flathead National Forest are partners in monitoring the Flathead Wild and Scenic River. (U.S. National Park Service, Glacier National Park, State of the Backcountry Reports 1992 - 2002, West Glacier, Montana, on file a Glacier National Park).
- Climate change
Ten climate stations are currently operated in Glacier, including hourly readings for: time, wind speed, wind direction, temperature, soil temp. soil moisture, RH, solar radiation and some stations have snow depth and precipitation sensors as well. ( Fagre, D.B., P.L. Comanor, J.D. White, F.R. Hauer, and S.W. Running. 1997. Watershed responses to climate change at Glacier National Park. Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 33(4):755-765; . White, J.D., S.W. Running, P.E. Thornton, R.E. Keane, K.C. Ryan, D.B. Fagre, and C.H. Key. 1998. Assessing simulated ecosystem processes for climate variability Research at Glacier National Park, USA. Ecological Applications. 8(3):805-823.)
Waterton Lakes National Park has six weather stations. Two of these stations are general weather stations operated by the Meteorological Survey of Canada. Three of the stations are Park Fire Information Stations (two year round and one summer only). One station is operated winter-only for avalanche forecasting purposes. On-line climate station information is available from Environment Canada at
http://www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/climate/station_catalogue/index_e.cfm. The Waterton Park Townsite climate station has records going back to 1942. Two of the climate stations have been automated since 1988. Depending on the station, the following information is recorded: temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, snow depth, snow pack temperature and snow pillow.
- Glacier studies
Glacier studies at Glacier National Park include measurements of perimeter, area, and mass balance. Repeat photography has also been used to document many of the glaciers in Glacier National Park. (Hall, M.P. and D.B. Fagre. 2003. Modeled climate-induced glacier change in Glacier National Park, 1850-2100. Bioscience. 53(2):131-140. Key, C.H., D.B. Fagre, and R.K. Menicke. 2002. Glacier retreat in Glacier National Park, Montana. Pages J365-J381 In R.S. Jr. Williams and J.G. Ferrigno, editors. Satellite Image Atlas of Glaciers of the World, Glaciers of North America - Glaciers of the Western United States. United States Government Printing Office, Washington DC, USA).
- Streamflow
Hourly streamflow measurements are taken at eight locations in Glacier. (Hauer, F.R., D.B. Fagre, and J.A. Stanford. 2003. Climatic patterns, hydrologic processes and nutrient dynamics in a pristine montane catchment in northwest Montana, USA. Verh. Internat. Verein. Limnol. Streamflow measurements are conducted at sites on the Waterton and Belly rivers in and near WLNP, jointly by Environment Canada and Alberta Environment (River Forecast). See http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/ and http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca. In addition, a lake hydrology gauge is in place on the Upper Waterton Lake.
- Vertebrate monitoring
Waterton Lakes National Park conducts annual monitoring of breeding passerines, Columbian ground squirrels, raptor (osprey, prairie falcon, golden and bald eagle) nests, streamside birds (harlequin duck and dipper) and wetland birds (sandhill crane, hooded merganser, Barrow's goldeneye, ring-necked duck, common loon, red-necked grebe, wood duck and common merganser).
In addition to the existing monitoring described under section 6a1, Glacier National Park is developing a comprehensive monitoring program as part of the US NPS's Natural Resource Challenge - a 5-year strategic initiative which includes a vital signs monitoring component. Funding to begin this program has been appropriated by the US Congress. Goals of the Vital Signs initiative include:
A potential listing of the Vital Sign indicators for Glacier National Park includes (1) those indicators required to be included in the monitoring program for legal reasons (e.g., Threatened and Endangered species); (2) those indicators required for performance management reporting purposes or because funding was provided for a specific purpose; and (3) those indicators selected by park networks from a list of recommended vital signs or identified as a priority by the network. The formal selection of Vital Sign indicators for Glacier National Park is scheduled for 2004.
Glacier National Park produces an annual Superintendent's Report.
Waterton Lakes' monitoring strategy was designed as part of the Ecosystem Conservation Plan for Waterton Lakes National Park (1998). Many of these actions have since been incorporated into the park management plan (2000). Some of the indicators identified are now being monitored (see following sections), but others have not been initiated yet. Ecological integrity objectives were identified for monitoring and for research, and key indicators fall within these objectives:
Information collected through these monitoring programs is used in Parks Canada's national State of Protected Heritage Areas Report, issued every two years and will be used in a State of the Park Report for Waterton Lakes, to be prepared every five years, in conjunction with a review of the management plan. Waterton Lakes National Park's monitoring program is being reviewed as part of a national park system wide effort to improve park monitoring and reporting programs.
It is unlikely that action on recommendation 1 will occur in the near future.
The proposed expansion of Waterton Lakes National Park into the Flathead Valley of British Columbia has deferred consideration of recommendation 2. The proposed expansion would include Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park, as recommended by the World Heritage Committee.
A World Heritage Site dedication ceremony was held in East Glacier, Montana, on September 19, 1998.
As noted in 4f, a MOU supports co-operation of the two park administrations, especially when dealing with partners in the larger ecosystem.