Recommendations adopted: No new land for commercial use. Quotas and reservation systems considered in popular areas like Johnston Canyon, Mosquito Creek Trail and Skoki Lodge trails, Lake Minnewanka and Johnson Lake. Closure of Banff airstrip, buffalo paddock, cadet camp. Town's population (now 7,600) held to 10,000. Proposed expansion of Banff Springs Hotel golf course withdrawn by CP Hotels. Fishing to be reviewed for eventual elimination.

Special Report Banff growth reined in By KIM LUNMAN Calgary Herald A fence around the town of Banff, a cap on the community's population, reservations for popular hiking trails and no more development are some of 500 sweeping recommendations unveiled in a federal government report on Monday. Tourism is causing environmental havoc at Banff, said the report, which recommended that the jewel of Canada's national park system must be quickly protected. The blueprint for the park's future was released by Heritage Minister Sheila Copps. The 68-page report, titled Banff-Bow Valley -- At the Crossroads, concludes: "unless we take a new path, Banff cannot remain a national park." The $2-million, 27-month study conducted by a five-member task force -- predicts 19 million visitors per year could visit Banff National Park by 2020 if no limitations are enforced. Canada's oldest national park now attracts five million people annually. Another four million pass through via the Trans-Canada Highway. "We truly do believe (the park) is at the crossroads," said task force chairman Bob Page, dean of the faculty of environmental design at the University of Calgary. "Urgent action is necessary, in our view." While environmentalists welcomed the findings, others found the recommendations troubling. "This is an environmental elitist dream," said Reform Heritage critic Jim Abbott. "I think it absolutely goes too far." The Kootenay West MP is worried it will restrict access to the park."This report slams the gate on ordinary Canadians. I don't think it's fair and I don't think it's right." Copps called the report an attempt at a tricky "balancing act." While she refused to embrace all of the task force's recommendations, she did accept its basic themes. "Let's face it. If we can't keep the park clean, we can't keep it," she told news media at the Banff Park Lodge. "The stresses and the strains of human development cannot be allowed to snap back and injure the wild places that we are pledged here to protect," said Copps."Banff has been one of the greatest gifts that have been given to us. Let's not spoil it" The government is adopting some of the recommendations immediately, but further study will be conducted on the proposed wide-ranging reforms over the next year, said Copps. Banff Mayor Ted Hart supported plans to limit the townsite's population to 10,000 up from the current 7,600 "as long as we're talking ballpark rather than counting individual heads. I don't think it's something we need fear." But Hart expressed concern about a proposal to fence off the town to eliminate human encounters with elk. "Is it electric?" he quipped. "It's almost beyond comprehension. It's not something I want to visualize." Copps lauded CP Hotels for withdrawing a proposal to add nine holes to the Banff Springs Hotel golf course. Ted Kissane, Banff Springs Hotel regional vice-president and general manager, said business leaders have to play a role in preserving the park. "My bottom line is whatever is right for the ecology of the Bow Valley is right for all of us because without the ecology being properly maintained and managed, all of us will be the losers at the end," Kissane said. Calgary lawyer Brad Pierce, president of the Association for Mountain Parks Protection and Enjoyment (representing people who use Banff's three downhill ski areas), says Banff can sustain current levels of development. He fears that people who use the park won't have a say in which recommendations will be enacted. "I'm not overjoyed by (the recommendations)," he said. "My bigger concern is the users' interest be well-considered and represented on the follow-up of any of these recommendations. I really didn't get that comfort from the minister today." Pat Cote, general manager of Banff Mount Norquay, worried about recommendations to ban nighttime skiing. "We want to work within the park system but it has to be within reason," he said. But Harvey Locke, past president of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society said Banff has been a "free-for-all.What's being said now is we can't run it as a free-for-all and maintain the values that attract people from all over the world." Provincial officials refused to jump into the debate about the future of the community, which generates more than $750 million annually in tourism revenue for Alberta. "Banff comes under federal jurisdiction so I am not about to get involved in it," said Alberta Environment minister Ty Lund. End of Herald Article