Dawson City says no to placer miner's Dome Road plans

Dawson City'smunicipal council has rejected a placer miner's bid to do exploration work this winter in the Dome Road area.

Darrell Carey caused a stir in October when he putan advertisement in a localpaper, announcing plans for his claims. The idea was controversial because theypotentially threatened the town's cross-country ski trails.

Carey applied to the town for a development permit to do the work.

"The long and the short of [Carey's plan]is, walking in drill equipment, clearing some of the snow from the trails, and sinking some holes," said Mayor Wayne Potoroka.

"The council felt that there was too many potential adverse impacts on public safety, health."

CBCtried to reach Darrell Carey for comment, but has hadno response.

• Miner's exploration plans re-ignite dispute in Dawson City

• Yukon gov't rejects contentious Dome Road placer mine proposal

Ongoing debate

Council's decision is the latest volley in an ongoing dispute over mining within municipal boundaries. Carey's Dome Road claims have often been at the centre of debate in Dawson City.

"It'sa very complicated and complex situation, it'ssomethingthat we've been having to tackle for many years now," Potoroka said.

He wants the territorial government to get involved.

"Certainly thePlacer [Mining] Actis a documentthatcame into effect before there were anyincorporatedareas in the Yukon," he said.

"We need some clarity, we need some help. We need some guidelines to deal with these sorts of things."

In the meantime, some trail users in Dawson say they're pleased that Carey's plans have been thwarted, for now. A handmade sign posted at the trailhead reads, "Mr Carey: Please don't wreck our ski trails. Thank you: Dawson."

"You can mine so many other places, but this spot gets used by so many people," said Lucy Welsh, as shewalked her dog on the Dome trails.

Kate Selkirk, a skier, is not against mining, but agrees it's"just not a comfortable fit" with recreational trails.

"Mining is important, but it shouldn't be necessarily the prime factor for use on every part of land in the Yukon.There's some places where it's just not appropriate, and this is one of them," she said.