BANFF – Flying a drone in Banff National Park is costly.
Kuldip Kainth was fined $500 after his father-in-law entered a guilty plea on his behalf in Canmore Provincial Court on Oct. 31 for illegally flying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) under the Canada National Parks Act.
The court heard park wardens went to investigate a complaint of a drone being used at the Two Jack Lake day-use area on May 5 this year.
Wardens also discovered a cell phone contained footage that Kainth was using a UAV at Vermilion Lakes the day before.
“The use of drones is banned,” said federal prosecutor Anita Szabo, noting they can only be flown with a permit approved by the superintendent of the park.
Drone flying is proving to be a popular hobby for many people, but a restricted activity order restricts recreational use of drones in Banff National Park, which includes but isn’t limited to balloon drones, quad copters or rotacrafts, remote-controlled model aircraft and gliders.
Parks Canada officials say drones can pose risks to visitors, disturb wildlife and lead to negative experiences for other visitors to the park – and for these reasons places strict limits on use of drones.
Park law enforcement warden Chloe Marshall said there are many reasons for banning drones, but said the main ones are to protect ecological integrity and to ensure the best experience possible for visitors.
“To protect wildlife and quality of visitor experience we don’t allow them,” she said.
According to Parks Canada, wardens have laid four drone-related charges in Banff National Park since March 2017.
Anyone caught operating a drone within park boundaries could face a fine of up to $25,000 in court. Parks Canada asks residents and visitors to report illegal drone use to park wardens by calling Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470.
“If we do get a complaint we do our best to attend and conduct an investigation,” said Marshall.
“Depending on the circumstances, we may seize their drones and may charge them and have them make a court appearance.”
