Since our last report in March on the fate of the
Banff and Jasper airstrips little has happened. In a court challenge in 1997
Parks Canada was ordered to complete a Comprehensive Environmental Assessment
Study on the impact of decommissioning the airstrips. COPA provided extensive
documentation and representation at meetings with Park officials, including the
results of a COPA-funded meteorology study that proves that the weather is very
unpredictable in the Banff and Jasper areas. We were expecting the final report
of the CEA Study to be released for public review in the early spring of this
year, however, in March the Parks Canada staff involved were temporarily
re-assigned to deal with the G8 Summit and the project was placed on hold.
Meanwhile there has been one significant development. In August Parks Canada
announced that it would undertake an Air Safety Risk Assessment relative to
closure of the Banff and Jasper airstrips. Although we expected this to be
addressed in the Comprehensive Study, it appears Parks feels it is important
enough to warrant an additional study. It is now our understanding that the
Comprehensive Study report will be held in abeyance until the completion of the
Air Safety Risk Assessment.
This is good news. For years COPA, along with the Banff and Jasper Flying Clubs,
has maintained that closure of these airstrips will create a serious aviation
safety risk for aircraft using the two major transportation corridors through
the Rocky Mountains. Perhaps now Parks Canada is ready to listen. COPA is now
working with Park officials to provide input to the Air Safety Risk Assessment,
and we need your help.
Although we have many documented cases of the Banff and Jasper airstrips being
used for emergency or diversionary situations over the years, we have gathered
little such information since Heritage Minister Copps ordered the closure of the
strips in 1997. This is no doubt due to the fact that pilots using the strips
are leery of reporting for fear of repercussions. The current status is that
both strips are legally available for emergency/diversionary use and prior
permission is required for non-emergency/diversionary use. It would be very
beneficial to our case to know of any emergency/diversionary incidents that have
occurred at these airstrips in the past five years. Any members who are aware of
or were involved in such incidents are asked to help us out by contacting Bob
Kirkby, Director for Alberta & NWT. Bob can be reached by e-mail at bkirbky@copanational.org
or by telephone at 403-291-5560.