This news release has been archived. View current Government of Yukon news.

# Feedback sought on draft Tagish River Habitat Protection Area management plan

Primary image

The steering committee of the Tagish River Habitat Protection Area, which includes representatives from the Government of Yukon, is inviting users of the area to comment on the draft recommended management plan. This area is important to Carcross/Tagish First Nation people, local residents, recreational users and visitors of the Tagish River.

This draft recommended management plan aims to protect the Tagish River for future generations and to provide a path forward for sustainable use of this culturally and ecologically important area.

Finalizing the Tagish River Habitat Protection Area recommended management plan will meet an important milestone in implementation of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation Final Agreement, and balance important ecological conservation, valued recreational use, and protection of cultural vales.

Public meetings will be held in October 2020.

> It is exciting to see this management plan moving towards completion. I encourage all users of the Tagish River area to come to the public meetings to learn about the recommended management plan and provide feedback on how to protect this culturally and ecologically significant area.

> Carcross/Tagish First Nation is encouraged that through this recommended management plan people will be able to re-establish their relationship and connection to the land and water that makes up the Tagish River Habitat Protection Area. Through our treaty we identified this area due to the cultural and ecological significance it has to Tagish and Tlingit people. We encourage people to spend time enjoying this area while respecting the Indigenous rights of the Carcross/Tagish people. We look forward to completing this important initiative.

Quick facts

- The Tagish River was identified under Chapter 10, Schedule C of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation Final Agreement due to the cultural and ecological significance of the area.

- The Tagish River Habitat Protection Area Steering Committee includes representatives from the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, the Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada.

- The Steering Committee invited representatives from the Carcross/Tagish Renewable Resources Council and Tagish Local Advisory Council to join in the planning process and has welcomed input since the start of this initiative.

- The Habitat Protection Area (HPA) covers approximately five square kilometres between Marsh Lake and Tagish Lake.

- The Tagish River is one of the most important areas in Yukon for migrating waterfowl, especially Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, as it is one of only a few areas in Southern Yukon with open water in the spring.

- Habitat Protection Areas are areas established under the Yukon Wildlife Act to conserve wildlife and habitat to maintain Yukon’s important natural landscapes and cultural features.

- In developing a draft of the plan, the steering committee met with Carcross/Tagish First Nation Elders, held eight community events, sent a questionnaire to residents and conducted interviews with citizens.

Media contact

Janine Workman
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0480
janine.workman@gov.yk.ca

Diana Dryburgh-Moraal
Communications, Environment
867-334-9815
diana.dryburgh-moraal@gov.yk.ca

Stewart Burnett
Communications Advisor
Carcross/Tagish First Nation
867-332-3993
stewart.burnett@ctfn.ca

News release #:
20-271
Related information:
EngageYukon: Engaging on the draft Tagish River Habitat Protection Area managem…
Tagish River Habitat Protection Area
Carcross/Tagish First Nation