TIA Yukon rejects YG's Peel plans

The Yukon government’s new plans for the Peel watershed could have serious consequences for tourism operators if implemented, says the territory's largest tourism organization.

The new plans the government launched in late October don't address the needs of tourism in the region, said the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon in a recent news release titled New Peel plans would create uncertainty for Yukon tourism.

“We have actively attended presentations and earnestly listened to Yukon government’s explanations of their new concepts, seeking to understand how tourism operators would have certainty for sustainable operations on the rivers of the Peel watershed,” said TIA chair Neil Hartling in the release.

“We have carefully reviewed the new concepts on the table and do not see an option that provides certainty for tourism operators in the river corridors.”

The Wind, Snake, Hart, Bonnetplume and Blackstone rivers attract tourists from all over the world.

"Trip itineraries in the Peel region include numerous hikes up onto the ridges so visitors can enjoy the dramatic views of the wide open valleys," said Blake Rogers, executive director of TIA Yukon.

“Infrastructure such as roads and camps cannot be hidden in these broad, sparsely treed valleys,” he said.

“Development of right-of-ways, bridges and camps, accompanied by diesel transports, would lead to the deterioration and inevitable termination of these trips.” 

TIA Yukon is also concerned the parameters of “active management” in the government’s new plans have not been clearly defined.

It’s also worried about the ability and willingness of future governments to pay for resources that would be needed to co-ordinate and enforce these “active management” areas.

Thee government’s plans leave “too many unanswered questions” for tourism, the release said.

“The only plan that would provide the necessary amount of certainty for the industry is the Peel Planning Commission’s final recommended plan,” it said.

The government should support that plan – the one most Yukoners and the four affected First Nations also endorse, it said.