Yukon departments reject Tombstone mining

Officials with the Yukon Environment and Tourism departments have expressed concerns about proposed mining exploration in Tombstone Park.

In submissions to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB), the Environment and Tourism departments both express concern that the planned exploration by Canadian United Minerals on existing claims will have significant impacts on the park, and that the company's proposal is too vague to allow a proper assessment.

"Overall, Environment Yukon has significant concerns with the nature of the project proposal," the submission from Yukon Environment says. "The proponent has not provided a thorough nor consistent description of the proposed activities, effects and proposed mitigation. Repeated changes in project scope on key aspects of the project such as ground and air access routing, on-claim activities and proposed equipment use has made meaningful input into this review onerous for the public, stakeholders and governments."

The proposed access road and the mining claims are "in an area known to be important wildlife habitat for a variety of species," the submission says, referring to caribou, Dall sheep, moose, grizzly and black bears.

The proposed access route also follows the most popular hiking trails in the park, which is visited by thousands of hikers every summer, the submission states.

Staff flew over the proposed routes to the claims and spotted a bald eagle and a northern harrier, as well as other animals. A partial video of the flight was posted on the video-sharing internet site YouTube.

The proposed routes are not in a designated snowmobile travel area, Environment staff also pointed out.

Tourism Department staff express many of the same concerns in their submission, pointing out that the area where the development is proposed is in a part of the park designated as a wildland zone, with a stated objective to preserve the backcountry in a natural state.

The Tourism Department submission cites reduced wilderness quality, reduced wildlife populations, visual and noise impacts and negative impacts on wilderness tourism and hunting businesses as concerns.

They also agree with the Environment Department opinion that the plans are too vague for proper assessment.

But Energy, Mines and Resources Department officials withhold judgment in their submission.

They note that the application has changed significantly during the consultation process and base comments on the June 24 submission by Canadian United Minerals.

"The environmental impacts of this operation can be mitigated if the activities are conducted in accordance with the applicable regulations and the permitted operating conditions," the Energy, Mines and Resources submission states.

The exploration plans have also been criticized by environmental and First Nation groups.

The Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board closed the public comment period for the proposal on Friday.

More than 700 submissions about the proposal were received after the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society notified members and others of the plans. More than 600 submissions arrived from July 20 to 23, the vast majority opposing the project.

The final decision about whether to permit the work in the park will be made by the Yukon government.

Canadian United Minerals first staked claims in the area before it became a park.