KANANASKIS, Alta. - The first order for soldiers and police patrolling the security perimeter of next week's G8 summit is not to disturb the wildlife, officials said yesterday.
The several thousand security personnel who will be roaming in, around and above the Kananaskis region, 100 kilometres west of Calgary, are under strict orders to minimize their impact on the ecologically sensitive site in the Alberta Rockies.
And if a soldier encounters a grizzly bear: "There will be no firing of shots. That is absolutely the least likely thing to happen," said Bruce Leeson, director of environmental affairs for the summit.
The troops have been given environmental-awareness training, including fire safety, identifying bird-nesting areas and avoiding wildlife such as bears, cougars and aggressive elk and moose.
Environmentalists have expressed concern that the summit could leave lasting scars on the protected area. Jean Chrétien, the Prime Minister, chose Kananaskis for the June 26-27 summit so leaders could discuss world issues without confrontations with activists.
Joint Task Force Grizzly, as the security operation has been code-named, will field RCMP and Canadian Forces personnel on 24-hour patrols in what is expected to be one of the largest domestic military operations in Canadian history.
In addition to a closed, 6.5-kilometre radius security perimeter around the Kananaskis Village resort where the summit is being held, a 150-kilometre no-fly zone will also be enforced by CF-18 fighter jets and more than 150 soldiers from 4 Air Defence Regiment. They will be operating ADATS (Air Defence Anti-Tank System) vehicles armed with surface-to-air missiles capable of shooting down a hostile aircraft up to 10 kilometres away.
G8 security staff will not discuss tactics or reveal exactly how many soldiers and police are being deployed. But Dr. Leeson, a Parks Canada environment scientist hired by G8 organizers, said soldiers in the region will be required to move camp frequently to minimize disturbance to the landscape.
They will not be allowed to dig latrines -- Dr. Leeson said they will pack their wastes in kits known as "Brief Relief" -- and will not be allowed open fires, cutting of vegetation or burning of garbage.
Military and police will stay in trailers in a nearby ski resort's parking lots, where at least 200 trailers could be seen yesterday. The security camp aims to recycle 80% of its waste.
"I am confident that the whole Kananaskis summit will be conducted in a safe manner and there will be no significant adverse effects on the environment," Dr. Leeson said
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