The Government of Yukon is seeking public input for the next 60 days on the development of a regulation to manage resource roads in the territory. The regulation would enable the territorial government to effectively regulate all phases of resource roads in an environmentally responsible manner, including construction, use, maintenance, closure and decommissioning.
The new regulation would apply to controlled access roads that service the mining, aggregate, oil and gas industries. Many Yukon resource roads are typically built to be temporary, providing access to resources for industry use. However, they often end up as permanent, public roads.
The Government of Yukon conducted a public engagement and First Nation consultation in 2014 and has incorporated the input received that year into the current regulatory proposal. A new regulation aims to manage the development and existence of a limited and controlled network of shared resource roads that meet the needs of the resource industry, have a smaller environmental footprint and are decommissioned when no longer needed.
The period for input ends on July 23, 2018
Broad-based engagement with First Nations, industry and other stakeholders is key to developing effective and workable resource road regulation in our territory. A new regulatory framework that ensures clear, consistent and responsible management of resource roads will bring welcome certainty to First Nations, the resource industry and the public.
Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ranj Pillai
Currently, resource roads are regulated under Yukon’s Land Use Regulation and are limited to management during only the construction phase.
Input received will let the Government of Yukon know whether new legislation is proceeding in the right direction and will guide development of the new Resource Road Regulation.
Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca
Rod Jacob
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
867-667-3005
rod.jacob@gov.yk.ca