New zoning rules coming to waterbodies in national mountain parks to combat invasive species

Parks Canada is taking steps to protect its mountain lakes and rivers from invasive species.

Parks Canada is set to introduce new zoning and increased watercraft regulations in national parks across Alberta in the coming months.

Come spring of this year, Parks Canada will begin their Mountain National Parks AIS Prevention Strategy.

The move is a step further in previous ways of managing and preventing aquatic invasive species (AIS), any non-native plants, animals or diseases that compete with native species for food and habitat.

The risk of AIS in mountain national parks like Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho and Waterton Lakes increases as visitors come to take advantage of any number of water-based recreational activities, according to the federal body.

“Once introduced, AIS can permanently disrupt sensitive ecosystems of lakes and rivers; causing irreversible damage to the genetic integrity of fish populations, harming critical infrastructure and reducing recreational opportunities,” reads a media release from Tuesday.

Water activity zones will be split in three categories: water recreation, water preservation and special tactics.

Recreation zones will be areas among popular lakes and rivers where activities can continue with regular existing AIS regulations and permits in place.

Preservation zones include sensitive ecosystems Parks Canada deems as needing extra protection. Only low-risk activities will be allowed.

Special tactic zones include complex bodies of water that need site-specific regulations. Currently, special regulations apply to Lake Minnewaka in Banff, Waterton Lakes Chain, Waterton River and Cameron Lake.

The government introduced the first phase of its AIS prevention tools specifically in the mountain national parks in 2017. Prevention is currently done by aquatic monitoring, permitting and inspections.

Parks Canada says visitors should check ahead of a trip to the mountain parks to know which zone it’s in, what activities are allowed and whether a permit is needed.

Other pieces of the strategy will be introduced over the course of the next two years and include more specific regional guidelines.

The provincial government currently has regulations in place during warmer months to prevent the spread of invasive species. Watercraft inspection stations have been mandatory for all Alberta waterways since 2015.