Alberta government to introduce user fees for Kananaskis

KANANASKIS (660 NEWS) – Albertans hoping to escape to a popular provincial recreation area in the Rockies during the COVID-19 pandemic will soon have to pay for the privilege.

Environment Minister Jason Nixon has announced a number of new initiatives to help maintain and protect Kananaskis Country, which will include access fees to the area starting June 1.

Nixon said the new conservation pass will be $15 per day, per vehicle or $90 for the year with all money going back to support maintenance, conservation, projects, public safety, and search and rescue.

WATCH: Kananaskis trashed by record number of visitors

Nixon said that Kananaskis exceeded its operational expense budget last year, leading to the decision.

He said he has heard from Albertans that they’re comfortable with modest fees as long as the money goes back to the park or the landscape.

Environment Minster Jason Nixon says K- Country saw a dramatic rise in visitors last year which resulted in an increase in parking, litter and conflicts with wildlife. There was also over 400 search and rescue calls

— Jeff Slack (@Jeffslack660) April 27, 2021

Alberta Parks recently reported that millions of visitors damaged vegetation and left trash littering trails across Kananaskis in 2020, and conservation officers spent a lot of time cleaning up and dealing with complaints about illegal camping and vehicle break-ins.

The report showed that over five million people visited the area last year, more than the annual average of four million that visit Banff National Park.

Environment minister Jason Nixon says money the conservation pass will go towards maintenance, conservation, projects, public safety, and search and rescue.

Says last year was a record for visits/cars in the area. #abparks

— Darce Vader (@darcyropchan) April 27, 2021

–with files from The Canadian Press