Conservationists raise concerns about proposed Calgary-Banff rail link
Global News
A group of Canadian wildlife conservationists is once again speaking out about a proposed passenger rail project that would connect the Calgary International Airport to Banff.
A group of Canadian wildlife conservationists is once again speaking out about a proposed passenger rail project that would connect the Calgary International Airport to Banff.
On Friday, the organizations said they’re becoming increasingly concerned that the project is ignoring multiple wildlife and environmental issues.
“Roads, trails, power lines and railways are all linear disturbances,” said Hilary Young with the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative. “Adding one more to the 130 or so kilometres from Calgary to Banff corridor will further fracture wildlife populations and reduce available habitat.
“Adding a high-frequency, high-speed rail line within an internationally significant wildlife corridor will have far-reaching implications for multiple species, including grizzly bears.”
The rail link project has been in talks for several years, but in December the company behind the project, Liricon Capital Ltd., announced it had submitted a new proposal to the Alberta government in hopes the rail line could be constructed as a public-private partnership pegged at $1.5 billion.
Sarah Elmeligi with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Southern Alberta Chapter (CPAWS) said conservationists are worried there isn’t enough transparency and they want to be formally included if the project moves forward.
“It seems very premature to be talking about this project as if it’s a done deal when there’s a lot of questions and blanks,” Elmeligi said. “Our hope is that we can actually become a formal part of these consultations.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Liricon Capital said no final investment decision had been made by either the government or the company, which is required in order to move into the construction and implementation phase.
