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Parks Canada has quietly approved the site guidelines for the Lake Louise ski area, with no major changes — despite concerns from environmental groups and 11 former managers in the federal agency.

Late Friday, ski resort officials were told they could expect a decision on the guidelines that would allow them to go ahead with their expansion plans.

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“We got a note that something was coming down the pipe,” said Lake Louise Ski Resort spokesman Dan Markham, noting they heard about the approval on Saturday. “We’re quite pleased.

“We have the opportunity to start building long term.”

No one from Parks Canada could be reached for comment Monday, but the decision is posted on its website.

The guidelines, which drew more than 1,200 letters from the public, are a blueprint for potential development and use that could be considered at the world-renowned ski resort over the next 20 or so years.

They reduce the ski area’s leasehold by 669 hectares, returning undeveloped land to wilderness. In exchange, Lake Louise would have an option to develop in areas such as West Bowl, Hidden Bowl, Richardson’s Ridge and West Juniper under a licence of occupation.