A comprehensive land use proposal for a significant area in central Yukon has been unveiled, providing detailed guidance on permissible development activities in the vicinity. The Dawson Regional Planning Commission has recently disclosed its proposed plan after several years of preparation, aiming to set the foundation for the future management of approximately 10% of Yukon’s land area. This plan is mandated by Chapter 11 of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Final Agreement. Grounded in a collaborative approach between Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and the Yukon government, the 480-page recommendation emphasizes equal and respectful partnership in implementing the plan.
The plan designates the 39,854-square-kilometre area into 22 distinct landscape management units, each with specific guidelines on allowable activities or developments. Some units are designated as conservation zones, prohibiting industrial activities, while others may permit future endeavors such as mining ventures or tourism. The plan excludes lands within the City of Dawson municipal boundaries and existing protected areas like Tombstone Territorial Park.
Regarding mining, the proposed plan supports placer mining, a key economic activity in the region, in certain areas. It suggests enhancing permitting and assessment procedures for more consistency and transparency. The plan also advocates for collaborative efforts with placer miners and the local community to outline the future of placer mining. However, it deems quartz mining incompatible with the region under the existing regulatory framework, citing outdated territorial mining legislation as inadequate for managing the risks associated with quartz mining.
Heap-leach mining is specifically prohibited in the region under the current regulatory regime, following a catastrophic incident at Victoria Gold’s Eagle mine in 2024. This event led to the release of toxic cyanide into the environment, necessitating the mine’s immediate closure and ongoing remediation efforts. The Yukon government has been actively working to modernize its century-old mining legislation to align with current needs and challenges in the industry.
Established in 2018, the Dawson Planning Commission, comprising six members, was tasked with developing a recommended land use plan for the region. After releasing an initial draft in 2022, the Commission incorporated input from Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and the Yukon government to finalize the proposed plan. The next steps involve a review of the plan by the First Nation and territorial government, followed by consultations with affected communities. Subsequently, both parties will have the opportunity to accept, reject, or make modifications to the document before its implementation.
Upon adoption, this plan will become the third regional land use strategy in Yukon, following plans for the North Yukon region in 2009 and the Peel Watershed region in 2019. The Peel watershed plan had faced a protracted legal dispute, culminating in a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the government’s treaty obligations and emphasized meaningful consultation with First Nations in land use planning processes.