From its dramatic peaks and high plateaus to its sprawling river valleys and wetlands, the Peel is one of Canada’s natural wonders. The six crystal-clear rivers that flow into the Peel River – the Ogilvie, Blackstone, Hart, Wind, Bonnet Plume and Snake Rivers – are the lifeblood of this ecosystem. Four First Nations call the Peel home – the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and Tetlit Gwich’in – and have for millennia hunted, fished and trapped in the Peel and received cultural nourishment from it.

With only limited human disturbance, the 68,000 square kilometres of vast wilderness burst with animal and plant life, from healthy populations of Canada’s iconic wildlife such as bears, wolves, lynx and caribou, to millions of boreal and migratory birds who thrive in the wetlands, to endemic plant species found nowhere else. Owing to its environmental significance, the Peel forms the northern anchor of the Yellowstone to Yukon wildlife corridor.

For years, the Peel has been coveted by industry and government for the mineral wealth that is believed to exist there – iron ore, lead-zinc, copper, nickel, and uranium – as well as coal, oil and gas. Plans to build roads, bridges and railroads into the Peel have threatened to carve up this in tact landscape. This has mobilized First Nations governments, environmental organizations, the Yukon public, hunters, tourism operators and many more groups to give the Peel the protection it deserves.

Land use planning for the Peel Watershed began in 2004 with the introduction of the Peel Watershed Planning Commission. Their task was to develop a plan on how the land would be used in the region.

The Planning Commission released a Draft Land Use Plan in 2009 which allocated half of the watershed for industrial development. Both industry and people who wanted more protection were unhappy with this plan. The majority of Yukoners wanted the main priorities in the Peel Watershed to be the environment, wildlife, and wilderness protection.

After addressing these comments, the Planning Commission made adjustments and released their Recommended Plan in late 2009. This revised plan took a cautious approach and called for 80% protection of the Peel Watershed. The Planning Commission felt that the only way to protect the wilderness culture of the area would be to limit development.

Once again, the public and key stakeholders had the opportunity to provide feedback on the Recommended Plan. The Planning Commission took the feedback they received to create the Final Recommended Plan which was released in 2011. The Final Recommended Plan called for 55% permanent protection and 25% interim protection. While 80% of the Peel Watershed would be protected right away, because of the nature of interim protection, it would be subject to change once the plan was up for review – which usually occurs in 10 years after the plan is implemented.

After the release of the Final Recommended Plan, the public was able to provide their comments in a round of final consultations. These would be the last opportunity for the public to have input on the plan. The public, once again, wanted strong protection of the Peel Watershed. The Peel Watershed became one of the top issues of the coming territorial election and garnered lots of media coverage, support and debate among candidates.

The final plan released by the Yukon Government in 2014, allocated 71% of the Peel Watershed to roads and industrial development – a drastic change from what was recommended by the Planning Commission and what the public had expressed in the previous consultations. Affected First Nations, and Yukon conservation groups took the Yukon Government to court.

After a long process through the Yukon Supreme Court and the Yukon Court of Appeal, the case was ultimately heard by the Supreme Court of Canada.

In their ruling, the Supreme Court of Canada sent the planning process back to the final consultation of the Final Recommended Plan, quashing the Yukon Government’s plan of 71% industrial development.

The final consultations were held between September 24^th, 2018 – November 28^th, 2018. A summary of responses was released in a What we heard report.

The What we heard report on the final consultations highlighted the public desire for protecting the unspoiled Peel Watershed. 2,046 people completed questionnaires and 628 letters were submitted by people, organizations, First Nation governments and other stakeholders.

Out of all the public comments received, 64.5% asked for stronger than 80% protection of the Peel Watershed. This reinforces what we’ve heard at every stage of the planning process from communities across the Yukon – the Peel Watershed should stay as protected as possible. 32% of those that answered the questionnaire did not want any changes to the Final Recommended Plan and 3.3% of total responses wanted more area opened for resource extraction.

The report also noted some comments during the meetings held throughout communities in the Yukon by specific organizations and stakeholders.

Many of the comments, especially those in communities in the Yukon and NWT, were about properly protecting the wildlife and the water in the Peel. Conservation plans around the Boreal and Porcupine caribou herds and the headwaters of the Peel River were noteworthy concerns.

There were also comments around the activities in the Peel Watershed. Protection of the Peel would allow First Nations people to continue to have the Peel as a connection to the past, a way to maintain their current livelihood and a way to teach their children their traditions and pass on their culture. Outfitters and wilderness tourism associations would be able to showcase the beauty of the Peel Watershed with certainty that their businesses could last for years to come. Recreational users could also continue to enjoy the Yukon’s beauty and stay connected to nature.

Questions around current mining claims was brought up by stakeholders and members of the public. A key concern for people was clarity around how development might be allowed to proceed and compensation around mining claims that will be in areas of protection. Comments were received both for and against compensating for mineral claim holders.

Implementation was brought up frequently during consultations as well. Support for an implementation plan that includes timelines, resources and responsible parties was noted in the consultation. Suggestions around First Nations playing key roles in park planning, research and enforcement were noted along with Indigenous and non-Indigenous collaborations.

Overall, the What we heard report showcased the public’s desire for an intact landscape in the Peel Watershed for generations to come. Over 2600 comments were received highlighting just how much the Peel matters to the future of the Yukon.

We are encouraged by the responses shown in the report, and hope decision makers will pursue 80% permanent protection of the Peel Watershed.