Planning in the Hart of Beringia

As the world warmed from the last great ice age, land in northern Canada and Alaska, which never became glaciated, reunited with the rest of the world. Called Beringia, the ecosystem of this land before time persists in isolated pockets. In the Yukon, remnants of Beringia can be found in the Peel Watershed. Four great Canadian rivers, the Wind, the Bonnet Plume, the Snake, and the Hart, form the major tributaries of the Peel River. In this remote wilderness, where access is only conceivable with a float plane, an industry based on river rafting, outfitting, and eco-tourism has gained a foothold in the last 10 to 20 years.

NOLS runs 20-day river courses on some of these rivers. With increasing interest in oil, gas, and mineral development in the region, major changes are underway. A planning process for the Peel Watershed, which began in 2004 is rapidly reaching its culmination, with a final document expected later this year. Overseen by the Peel Watershed Planning Commission, the final document will dictate management decisions including conflicts between industrial development and eco-tourism.

For those lucky few who have visited the Peel Watershed, for those who have yet to explore the Northern Yukon, and for those of us who may never get there but care a great deal about so-called bio-gems, now is the time to weigh in. The Commission has released their draft plan, with three possible management scenarios, and is continuing to accept comments from the public on these plans. If you feel compelled to weigh in and assert your values on the planning process, the Commission is very open and receptive to your opinion.

Visit http://www.peel.planyukon.ca/ for details on the plan.
To submit comments via e-mail, contact [email protected].
If you would like to see comments submitted by NOLS, contact [email protected].
For more updates please join the “NOLS Wildland Advocacy” group on facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=51018000212

photo courtesy of Rich Brame