Peel Areas Protected from Mining

Wednesday, 15 April 2020 13:21

The Government of Yukon has approved an Order In Council to apply new direction for mineral claim staking in the Peel watershed.

This Order represents the first implementation action of the approved Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan, developed and approved in partnership with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Vuntut Gwitchin Government, Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in, and Gwich'in Tribal Council.

As of April 1, 2020, mineral staking in areas identified as Special Management Areas were withdrawn permanently. Wilderness Areas and Wilderness Areas-Boreal Caribou have an interim withdrawal in place until January 1, 2030, at which point the status of these Areas will be jointly reviewed by the Parties to the Peel Plan.

The mineral staking withdrawals for the Integrated Management Areas were lifted April 1, 2020. However, anyone considering a project in the Peel must be aware that standards for environmental and cultural stewardship are higher in this area than they are on other Crown lands in Yukon.

All mineral exploration and development proposals, including Class 1 notifications, will be subject to conformity checks to ensure compliance with the Plan. Proposals and notifications that do not comply with the Plan will not proceed until they are brought into conformity.

The Parties to the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan are committed to honouring the commitments they have made to each other and the people of Yukon.

Vuntut Gwitchin Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm said in a statement, public support from Yukoners for the protection of the Peel has been substantial and unwavering. We saw this for years as Yukoners defended the preservation of its beautiful landscape and we saw it during the public signing ceremony of the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan. We've made great strides in implementing the Plan, but we're not at the finish line yet, and we know we have the support of the public to ensure the spirit and intent of the plan are implemented, fully and truly.

The Peel Watershed planning region has been withdrawn from mineral staking to varying degrees since 2010. These new withdrawal orders also apply to oil and gas dispositions.

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