Wood Buffalo National Park
Factors affecting the property in 2003*
- Ground transport infrastructure
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Project of a dam on the Slave River (issue resolved);
- Dam on the Peace River (issue resolved);
- Pulp and paper mill developments (issue resolved);
- Bison herd infected with either tuberculosis and/or brucellosis (issue resolved)
- Road construction
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2003
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2003**
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2003
The Centre received the State Party’s report, dated 7 February 2003, on the status of the proposal to build a winter road, as requested by the 26th session of the Committee. The report noted that the situation in relation to the proposed winter road has not changed since the 26th session of the Committee. The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and the Mikisew Cree First Nation filed applications to the court, seeking prevention of the construction of the winter road. The report stated that the appeal has not yet been heard in the Court.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2003
27 COM 7B.17
Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada)
The World Heritage Committee [10],
1. Notes the response from the State Party, as requested by the 26th session of the Committee (26 COM 21 (b) 4);
2. Requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with an update on the situation related to the proposal to build a winter road following the Federal Court of Canada's decision.
[1] Decision adopted without discussion
Draft Decision: 27 COM 7 (b) 17
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Notes the response from the State Party, as requested by the 26th session of the Committee;
2. Requests the State Party to provide to the Centre with an update on the situation related to the proposal to build a winter road following the Court’s decision.
Canada
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
