News Release

CPAWS-Yukon and Yukon Conservation Society Call For More Protection in Draft Peel Watershed Land Use Plan

May 5, 2009 – Whitehorse – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society -Yukon Chapter (CPAWS-Yukon) and the Yukon Conservation Society (YCS) are dismayed by the lack of protection afforded to the unique and globally significant conservation values in the Draft Peel Watershed Land Use Plan.

“The Peel Watershed’s unparalleled wilderness character, ecological values and the businesses that they support demand stronger protection,” says Mike Dehn of the CPAWS-Yukon. “Proposing only 11% of small, fragmented pieces of the Peel Watershed for permanent protection from industrialization and granting road access into the heart of the wilderness is totally unacceptable from a conservation perspective.”

In the last round of public consultation 437 public letters were received by the Commission. 95% of these expressed their desire for a draft plan that would protect a significant portion of the Peel Watershed. “There is clearly broad public and First Nations interest in protecting a large portion of the land base, including the entire Wind, Snake, Bonnet Plume and Hart River Watersheds,” says Karen Baltgailis of YCS. “The Commission must more accurately listen to and incorporate the opinions of Yukoners in the Draft Plan.”

The draft plan allows all-season access to develop existing mining claims in the heart of the Peel Watershed. CPAWS-Yukon and YCS believe that existing claims should not be used as a reason for not fully protecting more land in the Watershed. The two organizations are calling on the Commission to find stronger ways to ensure protection.

“Multiple winter and all-season access routes are completely unacceptable for conservation of the biological resources of the region,” says Dehn, explaining that “we, as Yukoners have a unique opportunity to protect a large and fully functioning ecosystem that accounts for 14% of the Territory, while sustaining a diversified economy. The animals and the habitats they depend on will come under increasing pressure from climate change and we should not be compromising their survival with roads. There are plenty of other, more suitable places to explore and develop mines in the Yukon,” he adds.

CPAWS-Yukon and YCS represent a broad and diverse range of Yukon citizens who believe in protecting the natural values of the Territory. The two organizations are urging Yukoners to express their views on the Draft Plan to the Commission by the June 30th deadline for public comment.

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