News Release

Yukon Government Stalls on Fishing Branch Wilderness Preserve

October 21, 2002 – Whitehorse – The Yukon government has failed to approve the Management Plan prepared by the Local Planning Team for the Fishing Branch Wilderness preserve. This means that Fishing Branch remains officially unprotected, since an Order-in-Council to formally designate the park has not been passed. This is at least the third time that the Vuntut Gwitch’in have seen their hard fought agreement on conservation in the Fishing Branch ecosystem stalled or breeched by the Yukon Government.

North Ogilvie Mountains Photo by Juri Peepre

Apparently the cabinet is concerned that the Management Plan does not allow for guaranteed road access through the park to the Rusty Springs mineral claims that lie just outside the park. (These claims have not been proven up as an economic deposit and there is no proposal for mine development on the table). In reality, the mining company in question was content with the management plan provisions, and agreement had been reached with the First Nation on the options. For example, if a mine ever were viable, there is a road option to access the claims that would go around the park, instead of through the heart of the sensitive Fishing Branch headwaters, critical to spawning Chum salmon.

The government has already agreed that protecting the ecological integrity of the park is the paramount goal, yet they are insisting on an industrial road corridor through the park. This just doesn’t make sense, given that the First Nations and mining company have resolved the issue.

Why is the Yukon goverment back-tracking on its promises?

We are mystified why the government would back away from a deal that was agreeable to all the parties concerned. Learn more about the North Ogilvie Mountains.

Juri Peepre
Telephone: 867-393-8080