The Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board (the Board) is now hosting a public engagement to review the latest draft version of “A conservation and action plan for the Aishihik bison population.”
Planning Process
The Draft Plan is informed by the hard work of the Aishihik Bison Technical Team and represents a unique approach to managing Wood Bison in the Yukon.
The Tech Team is a co-management body consisting of members from the Alsek Renewable Resources Council (RRC), the Government of Canada, Carmacks RRC, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Dan Keyi RRC, the Government of Yukon, Kluane First Nation, Laberge RRC, Little Salmon/ Carmacks First Nation, White River First Nation, and the Board. The Yukon Fish and Game Association, the local outfitter, and Parks Canada are also permanent observers.
A link to the updated Draft Plan can be found below.
Responsibilities under the UFA
Under section 16.7.12.2 of the Umbrella Final Agreement (UFA), the Board is responsible for making “recommendations to the Minister on the need for and the content and timing of all Yukon Fish and Wildlife management plans for species included in international agreements, threatened species or populations, species or populations declared by the Minister as being of a territorial, national or international interest, and Transplanted Populations and Exotic Species.”
Within this responsibility, the Board is tasked with “making provisions for public involvement in the development of its decisions and recommendations” (UFA 16.7.6).
To fulfill its mandate as the primary instrument of fish and wildlife management, the Board is conducting a 60-day public engagement period for the updated draft of the bison plan.
Timeline
Public engagement will run from March 15th until May 21st, 2023.
As part of this engagement process, the Board will hold public meetings (with help from our management partners) in Burwash, Haines Junction, Carmacks, and Whitehorse.
Burwash – Wednesday, March 15th, noon [12:00 pm] at Jacquot Hall (complete)
Haines Junction – Wednesday, April 5th, 5:30-8:30 pm, at Da Ku Cultural Centre (complete)
Whitehorse – Tuesday, April 18th, 6:30-9:00 pm at the Sternwheeler Hotel (complete)
Carmacks – Wednesday, April 19th, 6:00-8:00 pm at the Recreation Centre Gynamsium
Public Survey
During this time, we will also facilitate an online public survey to gather comments and feedback on the Draft Plan.
The public survey will open on March 20th and close on May 21st, 2023.
A link to the online survey can be found below.
Get Involved
We highly encourage Yukoners to make their voice heard in this process. Attend public meetings, read the updated Draft Plan, and complete the online survey.
Links
Click here to download and review the Draft Plan.
Click here to complete the online survey.