2013: the Peel on tap

The Peel watershed had a wild political ride in 2012, but it may pale bycomparison to what lies ahead in 2013.

Between controversial consultations on the final recommended land use plan, pending lawsuits from Peel First Nations and growing public anger over the way the Yukon government is handling the issue, news about the region is bound to stay in the headlines for another year.

January kicks off with more community consultations on the Peel plan.

The Yukon government is holding open houses in Old Crow Jan. 14, Aklavik Jan. 15, Tsiigehtchic Jan. 22, Fort McPherson Jan. 23 and Inuvik Jan. 24.  

Unlike 2010, when consultations were done in conjunction with the affected First Nations, this time the government has decided to go it alone. Either way officials can expect to get an earful just as they did before Christmas in Dawson City, Mayo and Whitehorse.

So far most people have told the government to dump its new “concepts” and accept the final recommended plan, prepared by the planning commission.

Just as the community meetings wrap up, the high-profile Mineral Exploration Roundup in Vancouver will get underway. Although the Peel's not on the agenda at the Jan. 28-31 conference, it’ll likely come up for discussion along with the growing list of uncertainties facing the Yukon's mining industry.

In early February, the government’s “relief order” for Peel claims is due to expire. Since it was first issued in 2010, all 8,400 claims in the region have been automatically renewed each year for free. Claimholders haven't had to do any work or pay $100 to keep each 51-acre claim in good standing.

The question is whether the government will extend the “relief” once again.

As for Valentine’s Day, this year it’s likely going to be about a lot more than hearts and chocolates.

Feb. 14 will mark 40 years since Yukon First Nation leaders asked Ottawa to begin treaty negotiations and presented their historic document, Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow.

It would take another 20 years to finalize that treaty - the Umbrella Final Agreement  - but by Feb. 14, 1995 the first four First Nations – including the Na-Cho Nyak Dun and the Vuntut Gwitchin – were ushering in a new era of self-government.

Joint land use planning was a central piece of the UFA.

This important land claims anniversary was also the day chosen by the Yukon government last February to announce it had rejected the final recommended Peel plan and was paving the way for industrial development throughout the region.

This year it’s picked Feb. 25 as the last day it will accept public comments about the future of the Peel. Submissions can be emailed to peel.consultation@gov.yk.ca or faxed to 867-393-7421 or mailed to Box 2703, Yukon Government, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6.

To date all comments it's received are still under wraps, but it's promised to release them in late February.

Although the public comment period ends Feb. 25, the government says First Nations consultation will run for another month. It's not clear exactly what that will entail.

Pro-Peel protection and democracy protests bookended the past two sittings of the Yukon legislature. When MLAs return to work sometime in the next few months, they'll likely face more voter discontent and it could be even louder given the up and coming Idle No More movement.

The spring sitting usually begins in March, but no date has yet been announced.

By April, attention will turn to the Peel moratorium on new claim staking and oil/gas/coal dispositions. Right now the government has only promised to keep the ban until May 4.

The ban was first put in place for a year in February 2010 while a final land use plan was completed. It's been extended several times since then, most recently last September for another eight months.

If the ban is lifted, claim-stakers will flood into the region, snapping up ground that one day may yield financial compensation payments.Thousands of new claims could be staked in a matter of months.

Many are hoping First Nations won't let it get that far.

They're threatening to take the government to court for violating the terms of Umbrella Final Agreement in its handling of the planning process. If they do, that will likely bring Peel planning to a screeching halt and could force an extension of the staking ban.

If not, the government will likely take the Peel issue back behind closed doors until it has a final plan in hand. Given there is no timeline laid out for that, it could be weeks or months or even longer.

Whatever the case, the first half of 2013 is going to be anything but dull.

Beyond that all that seems certain is uncertainty for all.