Fort Simpson (Jun 30/06) - Parks Canada will soon have a clearer idea of the economic importance of the Nahanni National Park Reserve.

The department has ordered a study that examines the economic impact of the park. The study looks at the historic spending on the park since 1976 and makes a forecast of spending for the next 10 years by both Parks Canada and visitors.

Steve Catto with Parks Canada, left and Chief Eric Betsaka of Nahanni Butte take in a presentation on the economic impacts of Nahanni National Park. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The study will also look at the value of the park, both with and without the proposed expansion.

The goal is to gather enough baseline information to lay to rest the argument on whether or not the park is an economic lifeline for small communities or a damaging factor, said David Murray, a senior planner with the new northern parks division of Parks Canada. "I don't think we will find anything too surprising." The park has some beneficial economic impacts, but they don't stack up to something like a diamond mine, he said.

Finding the historical data needed for the study has not been easy, said Peter Whiting, the president of The Outspan Group Inc. which has been contracted to complete the analysis, said.

"It's been a lot of hard work to gather data," said Whiting, who started the analysis in April. Data on the spending by Parks Canada has been the hardest to locate.

Since 1976, approximately $33 million has been spent on Nahanni, Whiting said during a presentation in Fort Simpson on June 13.

Asking people what factors they think are important in a study like this is crucial, Whiting said.

"People run the economy so people are the key in all this."

Parks Canada would like to see more businesses in the communities providing park management and visitors with services, Murray said.

The study is expected to be released in September.