Parks Canada manages highways that pass through the country's national parks; the roads serve as critical socioeconomic corridors for tourism and commercial transport. Highway 16 in Jasper National Park helps attract 5 million visitors each year to the mountain national parks. The agency is undertaking work to improve overall highway asset conditions. Barr has been contracted as the environmental consultant for this effort. One project the agency proposed was the construction of a passing lane along Highway 16 to remedy the lack of passing opportunities due to the roadway geometry.
Barr completed a detailed wetland assessment and impact report, which included delineating, classifying, and assessing wetland areas. In addition, our work encompassed the classification of soil and vegetation communities; surveys of wildlife and sensitive species; assessment of wetland ecological function; and mitigation of impacts within the wetland. Barr recommended impact mitigation options for the project that were in accordance with the Alberta Wetland Policy, the Canada National Parks Act, and the Species at Risk Act.