News Release
Federal Minister intercedes to ensure endangered Tombstone Park in Yukon is kept mine-free
March 13, 2000 – Bob Nault’s, (Minister of Indian Affairs & Northern Development (DIAND), recent statement in Whitehorse, that it is “very difficult to comprehend how we can have mining” in Yukon’s premiere Territorial Park comes at a strategic time for park advocates. The Minister also emphasized he will not tolerate nuisance staking of mineral claims in areas being considered for parks.
Juri Peepre, (Chair, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Yukon Chapter (CPAWS), observed that, “Nault’s statement comes at a critical time, just as his own Ministry, DIAND, is organizing a technical review of mining plans in the park, scheduled for April 14-15 in Dawson City. This is a welcome and unprecedented statement by a Minister, who is very familiar with mining and mining exploration, being the MP for the northwestern Ontario, Riding of Kenora-Rainy River.”
The Minister has effectively put an end to the prospect of an open pit mine in the heart of one of northern Canada’s most spectacular protected areas. In response, CPAWS today forwarded recommendations to the Minister, outlining steps the federal government should take to stop further mining work in the park.
Peepre stated, “The park in question, Tombstone Territorial Park, was negotiated through the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (formerly Dawson First Nation), Final Agreement with strong support from a majority of Yukon people. The park is an unusual biological zone at the interface of the Canadian arctic and boreal forest, in an area that remained ice-free during the last glaciation. This results in a rich and diverse number of species of plants, birds and animals – many of them rare or found nowhere else.”
The mining interests are represented by Canadian United Minerals Ltd, and the site is reported to be a gold discovery. It is located 50 miles north of Dawson City, in the Yukon Territory.
“The stand taken by this Minister that mineral staking is inappropriate as parks are being established is an important national precedent. It would be great if Ontario followed the federal lead to ensure that staking and mineral development are not allowed in wilderness parks,” said Tim Gray, Wildlands League chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.
Recent CPAWS correspondence with the Minister commended his stand, saying “Yukon people and Canadians everywhere appreciate your leadership and commitment to avoiding future situations where mining claims are staked in areas being planned for parks status.”
For more information, please contact:
Juri Peepre
CPAWS-Yukon
Telephone: 867-393-8080
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