Environmental Impact Assessment
Management Planning
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada Interim Management Guidelines
Parks Canada conducted a strategic environmental assessment review of the draft Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada Interim Management Guidelines in accordance with the1999 Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. Key actions proposed in the IMGs are consistent with the policies of Parks Canada and the federal government. During the conservation assessment review in 2004 Parks Canada conducted a preliminary analysis of key stressors that affect GINPR. The IMGs have incorporated priority conservation issues and associated management strategies identified in that process as key actions where appropriate. The IMGs’ focus has been to balance the need to manage stressors or processes which require immediate attention, such as invasive exotics, with those of a more strategic nature.
Parks Canada will conduct a more detailed analysis of complex issues (such as fire management) when it prepares the first park management plan for GINPR. Over the interim period the agency is developing indicators, targets, and monitoring protocols that will determine the state of ecological and cultural integrity in the park. State of Protected Heritage Areas Reports and annual reports that detail progress in implementing the IMGs will report results on a regular basis. When little empirical data is available or there is uncertainty about the accuracy of predictions, decisions on park management will be conservative in order to give ecological integrity precedence over visitor use or socio-economic or other considerations.
The IMGs propose numerous strategic and operational actions. Actions respond to stressors that threaten park ecological integrity, to identifying and filling key knowledge gaps, and to the need to develop effective working relationships between Parks Canada, local Coast Salish First Nations, and neighbours of the national park reserve. A significant number of the proposed actions represent management approaches already in use at GINPR. In keeping with the provisional intent of IMGs, they propose few new activities or facilities.
The IMGs focus on improving the level of understanding of the ecosystems in GINPR and identifying key indicators and short-term needs in order to allow effective interim management of the park. Parks Canada will incorporate the results of various IMG initiatives when formulating the first management plan for GINPR.
The IMGs propose a comprehensive, inter-agency collaborative approach to addressing resource management issues. They anticipate enhanced levels of understanding, collaboration, and cooperation between neighbouring agencies and individuals involved in land management activities.
A comprehensive communications program ensured adequate public review during the interim management guidelines planning process. Opportunities for involvement included a series of open houses held in various communities near the park; information sessions with First Nations and interest groups (such as Yacht Clubs); mail-outs of management planning booklets (newsletters); focus group workshops, and a management planning section on the GINPR website.
The IMGs describe many proposals that are conceptual, and it is not possible to evaluate fully the environmental effects of these initiatives at this time. As more detailed information becomes available, Parks Canada will assess projects pursuant to the provisions of theCanadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). Parks Canada is a Responsible Authority under the CEAA and will not undertake any project subject to CEAA before preparing an environmental assessment and making a determination to approve, not approve, or refer the project for additional environmental assessment review.
Overall, Parks Canada believes that with appropriate planning, collaboration with partners, and implementation of mitigation measures, the agency can implement the proposed actions in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada IMGs with no significant adverse effects on the natural and cultural resources of the park. Furthermore, inter-agency collaboration on a management approach that considers the integrity of the greater ecosystem increases the probability for success in maintaining and/or enhancing the ecological and cultural integrity of GINPR.