News Release
Oil and Gas Call Boundary a Step in the Right Direction on Protected Areas
August 23, 2000 – Whitehorse – The Yukon Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) says the boundaries of this year’s Eagle Plains and Peel Plateau Oil and Gas Call for Nominations are a positive step with respect to protected areas. “We are pleased that the land opened for oil and gas nominations leaves out several key areas of known conservation interest,” stated Justin Thompson, Oil and Gas Coordinator for CPAWS. “This demonstrates a willingness by the Yukon government to listen to some of the wildlife habitat concerns expressed in recent months by First Nations, Renewable Resource Councils, and non-government organizations.”
Although the area opened for oil and gas nominations is still very large and allows oil and gas companies significant opportunities to invest in the North Yukon, the boundaries of this year’s call go a step further towards balancing potential industrial development with conservation concerns. For example, the Whitefish Lakes region, parts of the Bell and Eagle rivers and the Richardson Mountains north of the Dempster Highway were not included in this year’s call for nominations. This area has been identified as critical wetland habitat as well as important Porcupine Caribou habitat during the spring, fall and winter.
In addition, the Wind, Snake and Bonnet Plume watersheds, which are areas of known conservation interest, have been mostly removed from the nomination boundary. Last year’s nomination area covered parts of these watersheds including areas within the Bonnet Plume Heritage River. The call area also leaves out part of the Eagle Plains Region identified by the Yukon Protected Areas Strategy as a candidate protected area.
Although CPAWS is encouraged by the government’s move to reduce the size of the call for nominations area, the Yukon Oil and Gas Act still does not stipulate broad consultation before lands are opened for nomination by industry. “CPAWS urges the Yukon government to maintain a high standard of public involvement and to undertake full consultation prior to future calls for oil and gas nominations,” added Thompson. CPAWS says that land use planning in conjunction with potential oil and gas development in the North Yukon will be critical to address issues such as the preservation of the Porcupine Caribou Herd.
For more information, please contact:
Justin Thompson
CPAWS-Yukon
Telephone: 867-393-8080
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