News Release
CPAWS-Yukon Supports the Establishment of Asi Keyi Natural Wilderness Park
November 30, 2000 – Whitehorse, Yukon – The Yukon Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society applauds the federal government’s decision to protect Asi Keyi Natural Wilderness Park. This new 310,000 hectare territorial park was negotiated through the pending land claims agreements of the Kluane First Nation and White River First Nation. The park protects an ecologically important and scenic mountainous area located just north of Kluane National Park in the Yukon Territory.
“We congratulate the Kluane and White River First Nations for this tremendous conservation achievement. Asi Keyi is a remarkable addition to the network of northern protected areas, and we salute the federal and territorial governments for recognizing its importance,” said Juri Peepre, Executive Director of CPAWS-Yukon.
The new park area was originally proposed as part of Kluane National Park more than twenty-five years ago. Then it became the northern portion of the Kluane Wildlife Sanctuary, a status it has retained since Kluane Park was established. After years of discussion, protection has now been upgraded to Special Management Area and Territorial Park under two pending land claim agreements. Withdrawal orders, closing the area to further mineral claim staking, were passed by the federal government on November 14, 2000. This provides full interim protection from all industrial activities. Once land claims are ratified, CPAWS-Yukon anticipates the protection will be permanent.
“We respect the land claims negotiation process and support the efforts of First Nations to protect their traditional lands with Special Management Areas. Mining companies have been exploring the region for about 50 years, while First Nations people have used the area for countless generations – surely they should have the right to protect their lands. The Umbrella Final Agreement provides for exactly these types of progressive measures based on community interests,” said Peepre.
“We continue to support both the land claims process and the public process of the Yukon Protected Areas Strategy. The mining industry should know that it’s low metal prices, not protected areas that are hurting mining investment. The sooner we get protected areas done, the more likely we will have the security of tenure that industry wants,” added Peepre.
Asi Keyi has numerous ecological features including a unique “drowned forest” perched on a glacier, flora of special interest, as well as important wildlife habitat for large carnivores and ungulates, such as woodland caribou. This protected area makes a major contribution to regional conservation efforts in the Kluane Region, since it is part of the largest “green” portion of the St. Elias Mountains ecoregion. The park is located next to Kluane National Park and it could, if the First Nations saw fit, become part of the Wrangell/St. Elias World Heritage Site. Asi Keyi is a very worthy addition to a globally important conservation area.
For more information, please contact:
Juri Peepre
Executive Director
CPAWS-Yukon
Telephone: 867-393-8080
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