Overview of the Three Rivers Campaign

You can help decide the future of Yukon's Three Rivers Click here to take action. Three Rivers location maps (Click the map thumbnails for magnified views.)

March, 2008

Along the Yukon’s northeastern border are three rivers – the Wind, Snake and Bonnet Plume – which flow through an ancient, unfettered wild landscape. The Peel watershed, at the north end of the Rocky Mountain chain where the “Three Rivers” lie, covers 14% of the Territory. In this unique apex of Canada’s boreal region and the Yellowstone to Yukon conservation initiative, the essence of wildness is revealed. Free roaming species like woodland and barren ground caribou, grizzly bears, wolverine, and thousands upon thousands of migratory waterfowl and songbirds flourish in these unspoiled waterways and colourful mountain ranges.

For generations, the First Nation of the Nacho Nyak Dun and Tetl'it Gwich'in, for which this watershed is home, have been sustained by the plants, fish and wildlife of this region. Today, it’s also a prized destination for visitors from around the world seeking to experience its vast and pristine splendour.

The threat

Our thirst for energy and metals threatens to destroy the Peel watershed. Three consecutive Yukon governments have offered these precious lands to industry at bargain prices – for everything from oil and gas drilling to uranium, coal and coal bed methane extraction. Wide ranging impacts from ad hoc resource exploration and development could spell ecological disaster here. New roads, railways, mines and pipelines could extirpate wilderness-dependent wildlife species due to loss of habitat, and threaten many other land uses, such as wilderness tourism and harvesting of fish and wildlife by local people.

The opportunity

The Peel Watershed Planning Commission is planning now for the future of this 77,000 km² watershed. We have the opportunity to protect the unspoiled waters and wilderness of the Three Rivers and the ecological integrity of the greater Peel watershed before the region is industrialized. A forward-looking planning approach that includes genuine consultation with First Nations, communities, and the public would help ensure that the entire living community remains protected and whole – while providing for a sustainable local economy.

CPAWS-Yukon continues to work towards conservation and protection in the Peel watershed, including the Three Rivers, through the land use planning process and working directly with communities. We have the opportunity to protect one of the largest roadless areas in the Yukon, a place of unparalleled wild beauty, where ecological and evolutionary processes remain intact.

The Snake River, one of Three Rivers for which CPAWS-Yukon is calling for protection Photo credit: Theresa Gulliver, CPAWS-Yukon

The Yukon government has a responsibility to listen to all Canadians and Yukoners, consider protected areas and accept recommendations for a conservation-based Peel Land Use Plan.

Please help us by letting the Yukon Government and the Peel Planning Commission know that you support protection and conservation of the Three Rivers and the greater Peel Watershed.

With your help, we can achieve this goal for the benefit of all.