Yukon First Nations and Environmental Organizations to take action to protect Peel River Watershed

What: Thomas R. Berger, O.C., Q.C. will lead a press conference to announce details of action to be taken by two Yukon First Nations and two Yukon environmental organizations in response to the Yukon Government’s plan regarding development of the Peel River Watershed.

Why: After seven years of research and consultation following a constitutionally mandated process under the Umbrella Final Agreement and Yukon land claims agreements, the Peel Watershed Planning Commission produced a Final Recommended Plan that would protect 80% of Northern Yukon’s 68,000 square kilometer Peel River Watershed – a plan supported by affected First Nations and the majority of the Yukon public.

The Government of Yukon has adopted its own unilaterally developed plan for the region, which opens up most of the watershed to roads and industrial development.

Speakers:

• Thomas R. Berger, O.C, Q.C. , Legal Counsel
• Ed Champion, Chief, First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun
• Eddie Taylor, Chief, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in
• Gill Cracknell, Executive Director, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Yukon Chapter
• Karen Baltgailis, Executive Director, Yukon Conservation Society
• Margaret Rosling, Legal Counsel

When: Monday, Jan. 27, 2014 from 11 a.m. to noon
 
Where:  Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel, 1133 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC
Salon F, Cordova Level

Additional information:
• Speakers will be available for one-on-one interviews following the press conference

Visuals: Photo opportunity, visuals of the watershed, video and photography of the conference available online shortly after the presentation has concluded.

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Media Contacts:
Kate Rogers, Tartan Group: 604-880-1494 (cell) or kate@tartangroup.ca
Brian Cant, Tartan Group: 250-592-3838, 250-896-3844 (cell) or brian@tartangroup.ca