Prince Albert National Park

From: Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Saskatchewan Chapter

Issue:

Prince Albert National Park is threatened by the potential use of an insecticide (Btk), sprayed by aircraft to kill a naturally occurring insect, the spruce budworm.

What can you do?

People who support maintenance of ecological integrity as a guiding principle in Park management must make their voices heard. Personal letters are needed now. Please write to Federal Minister Sheila Copps and ask her to ensure that Parks Canada does not allow spraying for spruce budworm in Prince Albert National Park.

Hon. Sheila Copps,
Minister of Heritage House of Commons,
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6
(no postage needed)
Fax: 613-994-1267

What Has Happened?

The Park, including the townsite of Waskesiu, is undergoing heavy outbreaks of spruce budworm. In spring and early summer (2002), Parks Canada said 'no' to spraying for budworm in Waskesiu. Their decision was supported by both scientific reasoning and the National Park mandate to keep park lands natural. In August, Parks Canada revoked that initial decision, and is now considering pesticide spraying. The change is in response to pressure from a small interest group that wants to 'preserve' ageing spruce trees that are infected by budworm.

Why is Spraying a Problem?

  • Spraying for budworm will affect the natural ecosystem in a National Park
  • Spraying for budworm will disregard Parks Canada's mandate to preserve all natural species and processes in our National Park
  • Spraying for budworm will not save the ageing spruce trees in Waskesiu
  • Spraying for budworm will not address the long-term needs for vegetation management in Waskesiu

If Parks Canada allows aerial spraying of pesticides in a National Park, it does not bode well for future management decisions in this National Park or in other parks. The concern is, how many other ecosystem health issues, such as maintaining Lake Trout populations, risk being overturned?

Solution to the Budworm Outbreak in Waskesiu:

For Parks Canada to fulfill their mandate to keep this beautiful park healthy and natural, CPAWS believes that spraying must not occur. Don't spray pesticide. Rather, develop a comprehensive vegetation management plan to ensure an ecologically healthy Waskesiu townsite with diverse native vegetation, natural processes, and short and long-term aesthetic values.
Read more....

More reading. . . . The Case Against Overhead Pesticide Spraying in The Townsite of Waskesiu Lake, Prince Albert National Park of Canada. (PDF file)