Yukon assessors recommend against contentious Dome Road mining proposal

Yukon's environmental assessors saythe territorial government should reject a contentious proposal to develop mining claims along Dawson City's Dome Road.

The Yukon Environmental and Socio-EconomicAssessment Board (YESAB) says Darrell Carey's proposed placer mining operation would be too damaging to the community's well-used trail system on the Dome.

Carey applied last summerfor a 10-year permit to operate a placer mining operationon 34 claims on the east side of the Dome. YESAB conducted a review, and issued its report on Tuesday.

According to the YESAB report, the placer mining operation would have "significant adverse affects to the trails and the value the community derives from them."

The report notes that the trails were used nearly 3,000 times between January and April of this year.

"This volume of use is noteworthy as it is relatively high when compared to the town's year round population, especially considering the fact that it represents only four months of use," the report says.

Carey had suggested establishing new trails elsewhere to replace any damaged trails, but YESAB determined that was unfeasible because there are no other suitable areas.

Dawson City 'grappling' with issue

Carey's proposal has been contentious in Dawson City, raising questions about how and when mining should be allowed within town limits.

• Opinions clash at Yukon meeting over mining within city limits

• Tr'ondk Hwch'in opposes Dome Road mining claims

"We've certainly been, as a community, grappling with this issue," said Dawson City mayor Wayne Potoroka.

Hesays YESAB did a "fantastic" job in its consultations and review of Carey's proposal.

"This is just one more step on a road our community has been on for some time, in trying to deal with mines in our municipality."

Darrell Carey's agent, Randy Clarkson, says he's not surprised by the YESABrecommendation about the Dome Road claims, but he believes it puts the Yukon government who will have the final decisionin a difficult position.

"If they accept these recommendations, they've effectively expropriated a placer miner from mining and they can't really do that, without compensation," he said.

"There are lots of placer claims staked a long time ago now within municipal boundaries, and are they going to compensate all of them? I don't see how they can do that."

Election issue

Cathie Findlay-Brook, president of the Klondike Active Transport and Trails Society (KATTS) welcomes the YESABrecommendation, but also agrees that Carey may be due some form of compensation if the project is killed.

"I don't think that's an unreasonable request," she said.

"We've always acknowledged that[Carey's claims]do hold weight, but we've been very positive in promoting a healthy outdoor activity during our long cold winters here, and these trails just happen to be in a place that's highly accessible."

Findlay-Brook thinks the YESAB recommendation comes at a fortuitous time in the middle of a territorial election campaign. She says KATTS has asked some candidates and the party leaders to state their positions on the issue.

"We're really hoping that we'll get some answers from them, before the election," she said.

The Yukon government has 30 days to accept, reject or vary YESAB's recommendations, meaning the final decision will come after the Nov. 7 election.

"Certainly everyone in Dawson will be waiting anxiously for that decision," mayor Potoroka said.

• Yukon Votes 2016 coverage from CBC North