November 2013
Basic Impact Analysis
(BIA)
Gran Fondo & Triathlon
Jasper National Park of Canada
Updated May 2015
November 2013
11
1. PROJECT TITLE
Gran Fondo Jasper & Jasper Triathlon
2. PROJECT LOCATION
Both events will take place in Jasper National Park.
3. PROJECT SITE(S)
Gran Fondo Jasper
The events will begin in Jasper townsite at the intersection of Bonhomme Street and Maligne Ave. Participants corral along Elm Avenue and are directed to the start area just prior to their event.
All events begin heading south along Bonhomme Street/Pine Street, then west on Connaught Drive. Athletes follow Connaught Drive onto the Icefields Parkway and then turn onto Hwy 93A.
While each distance varies slightly, they all turn right onto Marmot Road and climb to the lower base day-lodge at Marmot Basin (pending final approval).
Cyclist turnaround ,return to HWY 93A and continue south to the intersection of HWY 93A & Icefields Parkway.
o ‘Gran Fondo’ Cyclists turn right (south) and continue along the Icefields Parkway to the turnaround point at the staff complex at Poboktan Creek.
o ‘Medio Fondo’ Cyclists turn right (south) and continue 7.5km to their turnaround point.
o ‘Piccolo Fondo’ Cyclists turn left (north) at this intersection.
All Cyclists return along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper and the finish area following the same roadways within Jasper Townsite to the finish area.
See Appendix for maps.
Jasper Triathlon
The swim component of the triathlon takes place at the Jasper Aquatic Centre.
The ‘transition’ or staging area for the event will be based out of the volleyball courts adjacent to the Aquatic Centre.
The cycle component consists of a looped course, taking cyclists from the aquatic centre up Pyramid Lake Road to the turnaround point at the end of the paved road (pending final approval).
The final run component has athletes running through the trail system west of the aquatic centre (pending final approval). An alternate running route within town along residential roads is currently being drafted.
See Appendix for maps.
4. PROPONENT
Trevor Soll - Multisportscanada
5. PROPONENT CONTACT INFORMATION
Trevor Soll
11420 73 avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 0E1
780-915-0693 (cell)
780-439-0121 (home)
(Email)
6. PROJECT DATES
Planned commencement: 2015-06-13
Planned completion: 2015-06-14
7. INTERNAL PROJECT FILE #
Identify the file number for the project if there is a specific file numbering system for the field unit, park or site where the project is located.
8. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Gran Fondo Jasper & Jasper Triathlon are two sporting events presented to the Town and Parks Canada as an opportunity to raise awareness of the cycling and multisport opportunities in Jasper and area.
Gran Fondo – Saturday June 13, 2015
The Gran Fondo event offers three distances for participants; 180km, 100km and 65km events. All are held on townsite and highways within the Park (as indicated above).
Event / Start / Anticipated CompletionGran Fondo (180km) / 8:00am / 4:00pm
Medio Fondo (100km) / 8:30am / 2:00pm
Piccolo Fondo (65km) / 10:00am / 1:00pm
The staging area is at Centennial Park. This area will be setup with 10x10 popup tents, tables & chairs, portable bicycle racks, a PA system, inflatable start/finish arch, Generators (unless there is easy access to electricity), portapotties, fluid refill stations and post-event foods.
To support athletes in the Gran Fondo, three ‘feed stations’ will be erected on the day of the event. These will include basic foods (fruits, muffins, cookies), fluids (water & sport drink refill), as well as medical and mechanical support. Each station will also house bicycle racks, portapotties and garbage/recycle units. The locations for these stations are Marmot Basin Day-lodge parking lot, Athabasca Falls parking lot, and Poboktan Creek. These stations will be erected prior to event start and dismantled after the last cyclist has passed.
Sections of the roadway (ie turnaround points and corners) will be swept with broom prior to the event to ensure athlete safety. Areas of the roadway with large potholes/obstacles will be marked in advance with pylons and chalk.
The mountain climb to Marmot Basin will have sections with chip timing for athletes. This equipment will be serviced by battery backup.
Area Cleanup: Organizers will have a ‘sweep’ vehicle trail the last cyclist and sweep the routes for any event related garbage. The ‘sweep’ will also remove equipment and send in volunteers as they are passed. All routes are expected to be cleared of equipment and garbage by 5:00pm.
Triathlon – Sunday June 14, 2015
The triathlon offers 2 adult distances and a variety of youth distance events. All events begin at the Jasper Aquatic Centre and follow the routes as previously described above.
Event / Start / Anticipated CompletionTri it Distance Triathlon / 8:00am / 9:30am
Sprint Distance Triathlon / 8:20am / 10:45am
Kids of Steel Triathlon / 10:00am / 11:30am
The staging ‘transition’ area (where athletes move from swim to bike to run) will be based on the volleyball courts adjacent to the Aquatic Centre. No services (feed/water stations) will be provided on the cycle route.
The run route takes place on the trail system to the west of the aquatic centre.
See Appendix for maps.
9. VALUED COMPONENTS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED
Identify valued components likely to be affected by project activities identified in the project description. Include consideration of potential adverse effects of the project on:
In addition, consideration of indirect effects of the project are required by CEAA 2012. Specifically, you must consider whether the effects of the project on natural resources may in turn cause:
The Effects Identification Matrix (Appendix 1) can be used to identify potential interactions between the project and the surrounding environment.
NOTE: If the project has the potential to adversely affect a listed species at risk (including effects to individuals, the residences of the individuals or the critical habitat of the species), refer to Appendix 2 for SARA Authorization information and documentation requirements.
NOTE: If the project has the potential to adversely affect known cultural resources or cultural resources that have not yet been identified or evaluated such as in-situ archaeological resources, ensure that a cultural resource management (CRM) specialist is consulted. The form in Appendix 3 (which is currently under development) should be provided to the CRM specialist to fill in.
NOTE: For projects that may affect a Parks Canada-administered World Heritage Site, ensure that any potential effects to the Outstanding Universal Value of the site are considered during the project review.
In addition:
· Identify the geographic area that should be assessed for each of these components (spatial scale) and over what time period impacts are to be examined (temporal scale).
· Briefly document any components that you predict will not be affected, or do not need to be assessed, briefly note that how these factors were considered, to show why there was no further analysis.
· Ensure that all relevant specialists are consulted (i.e. from visitor experience, natural resource conservation, engineering, etc. in addition to CRM) and document these consultations in Section 17 below.
Natural Resources
There will be limited effects on natural resources as all events take place on existing roadways and path/trail systems.
Cultural Resources & Key Visitor Experience Objectives
The events may delay visitor travel through the Park at key highway intersections as detailed below.
Saturday June 13
Bonhomme St: Between Maligne Ave & Elm Ave / 7am - 5pm / -eastbound lane lane closure on Elm Ave.
- no/limited access on Bonhomme between Maligne & Elm
Bonhomme St/Pine Ave to Connaught Dr/16A / 8am (5 min)
8:30am (5 min)
10:00am (5 min) / -feeder roadways closed for start of each event
-intermittent stoppages to allow cyclists the right of way upon return to finish
Yellowhead /16A Intersection / 8am (5 min)
8:30am (5 min)
10:00am (5 min) / -traffic stoppage during start of each event.
-intermittent stoppage of traffic as cyclists return to finish
Icefields Parkway & 93A at Athabasca Falls / 9:30am - 3:00pm / - intermittent stoppages throughout the day.
-stoppage of traffic to allow Gran Fondo athletes to turn Left to access feedstation upon return from 180k
-stoppage of traffic to allow cyclists to turn Left towards Jasper
Icefields Parkway @ ‘Medio Fondo’ turnaround / 11:00am 2:00pm / -intermittent stoppages to allow Medio Fondo athletes to turn around and return to finish
Icefields Parkway at 180k turn / 11:00am - 2:00pm / -intermittent stoppages to allow Gran Fondo athletes to turn Left at Poboktan Creek to access the feedstation and turnaround to return to finish
10. EFFECTS ANALYSIS
Analyze and outline potential adverse effects to the valued components you identified in the preceding question. Focus on adverse effects that may require further investigation, which may be prevented, or that should be mitigated. Ensure that any potential impacts of the project on a listed species at risk (its individuals, the residences of the individuals or the critical habitat of the species) are included. The Effects Identification Matrix (Appendix 1) can be used to identify potential interactions between the project and the surrounding environment.
NOTE: If the project may affect an area sensitive to cumulative effects, and those effects will not come under the scrutiny of a broader planning exercise where cumulative effects may be more appropriately evaluated, then include an analysis of potential cumulative effects of the project.
Potential impacts include traffic delays along the highway and intersections through town.
Wildlife impacts (bear/elk in the adjacent areas) would affect participant routings.
11. MITIGATION MEASURES
List all technically and economically feasible mitigation measures that directly address the adverse effects you have focused on. This must include all feasible measures that will be taken to avoid or lessen potential impacts of the project on any listed species at risk (including impacts on individuals, residences of the individuals or on the critical habitat of the species). Mitigations related to species at risk must be consistent with applicable recovery strategies and action plans.
NOTE: If one or more approved Best Management Practices (BMPs) are being used to mitigate some of the effects identified, refer to the BMP by name and indicate the mitigations to be applied. DO NOT list additional mitigation measures from the BMP that are not being applied.
NOTE: Specific detailed mitigation measures may be laid out in an Environmental Protection Plan (EPP), Sediment and Erosion Control Plan, or similar plan. If this is done, add the detailed plan to the project file once it is available.
Mitigation measures include event promotions in the months-weeks leading up to the event through various media. Event signage will be placed along the roadways impacted on the event days.
Wildlife (bears/cubs & elk/calves) mitigation includes event rerouting. Detailed route options attached.
12. Consideration of the Need for Public Participation & Aboriginal consultation
12 a) Indicate whether opportunity for public participation should be offered:
__X__ No ____ Yes
If yes, provide a simple rationale, describe the process used to involve participants and summarize comments received. Refer to results of other relevant consultations that addressed the same project (for example, in the context of management planning).
NOTE: Although it is neither necessary nor usually done for a BIA, there is discretion to offer the opportunity for public participation when it is considered to be appropriate and beneficial. This will depend on the project, its potential for adverse effects, and the anticipated degree of interest or concern. The public could be invited to comment on the project and/or its assessment. Adequate notice of the opportunity to participate in the BIA should be provided, and advanced planning will be required to determine how to record and report on the comments received. It may be useful to consult the CEA Agency guidance (prepared under the former CEA Act) entitled the Ministerial Guideline on Assessing the Need for and Level of Public Participation in Screenings under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
12 b) Indicate whether there is a requirement for Aboriginal Consultation in relation to project impacts:
__X__ No ____ Yes
If yes, provide a rationale including references to legal or other advice, describe the process used and summarize the outcomes.
NOTE: In addition to consultation regarding project-related impacts, Parks Canada must engage in additional and separate consultations with Aboriginal groups if there is a possibility of a project causing direct or indirect adverse effects to established or potential Aboriginal or Treaty rights. This is required in order to fulfill federal government responsibilities in upholding the honour of the crown. If there is uncertainty regarding the need for Aboriginal consultation with respect to a project, refer the matter to Parks Canada Legal Services for advice. Guidance on consultation may be sought from the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat and from the guidance document A Handbook for Parks Canada Employees on Consultation with Aboriginal Peoples.
13. EFFECT SIGNIFICANCE
Briefly describe any residual adverse effects of the project (i.e. those effects remaining after mitigation) on the identified valued components, and identify if any of these residual effects are considered “significant”. In your rationale you may want to consider the following, as appropriate:
· Criteria such as scale, magnitude, duration, reversibility, and the ecological context and/or cultural context of potential effects;
· Whether the outcomes of the project are likely to exceed thresholds established under a regional study;
· Whether the timing of the proposal could result in important interactions with the environment (i.e. construction or operation of a project during nesting season for migratory birds);
· Level of public concern at the local, national, and international levels;
· The potential for cumulative effects
The decision regarding significance is then reported in Section 18.
14. SURVEILLANCE
Document whether surveillance (also referred to as compliance monitoring or site inspection) will be required while the project is underway, to verify that required mitigation measures are implemented.