CPAWS-Yukon Celebrates with all Conservationists

On December 2, 2009, the Peel Watershed Planning Commission released their Recommended Plan for the Peel watershed. 

After reviewing the plan, CPAWS concluded that the Commission had positively responded to what Yukoners had to say about the Peel watershed.

The Recommended Plan calls for protection of 80.6 per cent of the Peel Watershed. This is a huge step forward for conservation in the region, and positions the Peel to remain globally significant as a roadless, pristine, wilderness area.

A few important components of the plan:

1. Special Management Area (SMA) status is recommended for 80 per cent of the Peel Watershed under a variety of protection management tools. No surface access is permitted in these SMAs without a plan amendment.
2. The Snake River watershed is recommended for full-on, flat-out protection. The entire Bonnet Plume, Wind, and Hart watersheds are recommended for SMA designations.
3. Several other ecologically important areas such as the Turner Lake wetlands are recommended for full protection. We think this will be a big topic with the migratory birds who rely on this area every year.
4. Existing mineral claims will continue to exist, even in protected areas, but exploration is limited to air access.

What’s Next?

The Recommended Plan now becomes the subject of consultations between representatives of the Yukon and First Nation governments. Of course the public’s continued expression of support for protection remains important as these parties negotiate towards a final plan. It is important at this stage that the Yukon Government is encouraged to accept the strengths in the plan, as a starting point. Two of the affected First Nations continue to call for full protection of the entire watershed, and their wishes need to be reflected in the final plan.

Secondly, a moratorium on further mineral staking in areas proposed for protection needs to be imposed now. The Planning Commission has recommended a moratorium, and it is within the Yukon Government’s powers to do this. Failure to do so will bring into question whether the Yukon is acting in good faith, and will undermine the planning process mandated by the Yukon’s First Nations Final Agreements.

CPAWS-Yukon will continue to work in a very focused and determined manner through 2010, to build on the Recommended Plan. We will coordinate with CPAWS members, other conservation groups, and partners to keep everyone informed as the plan moves forward.

Related articles

• Yukon disagrees with Peel watershed plan (cbc.ca)
• Tour guide criticizes Yukon stance on Peel (cbc.ca)
• Peel watershed up for debate in byelection (cbc.ca)
• Fort McPherson opposes Peel watershed mining (cbc.ca)