What do you want the future of the Beaver River Watershed to look like?

We hope that the Beaver River Watershed remains unspoiled for generations to come. We picture thriving populations of moose, grizzly bears, and salmon. We picture a watershed where people continue to teach younger generations to paddle, hunt, fish, and trap. CPAWS Yukon does not support development of the all-season exploration road through the intact watershed.

What advice would you give the Planning Committee as they develop a draft plan for the watershed?

• Create a plan that’s right for the region and the vision people have for it. The plan should set out a long-term, sustainable vision for the land. It should not be limited by a proposed road designed for short-term gain, that may never get built because of market forces. Fill critical information gaps on fish and wildlife. Right now we are missing critical information on species like moose, grizzly bears and Chinook salmon. Without this information, we don’t know how development could impact these species, and it’s difficult to create a plan that protects them and their habitat.
• Anticipate cumulative effects and set limits on development. The plan should set limits on development to ensure it doesn’t put unsustainable pressure on the environment and wildlife.
• Wait for Resource Road regulations to be finalized. ATAC Resources has proposed to gate the road and make it private to prevent overuse and increased hunting pressure. However, until Yukon Government finalizes the territorial Resource Road Regulations, we don’t know if the road can be managed as promised.
• Protect ecologically and culturally important areas. Once we’ve filled information gaps, the plan should protect areas that sustain the watershed’s ecological and cultural values, including its many wetlands.

We will collect your comments and send them to the Planning Committee (so they don't get too many emails all at once!)