The Government of Yukon, the Carcross/Tagish First Nation and the Government of Canada have signed the final management plan for the Tagish River Habitat Protection Area.
The Tagish River Habitat Protection Area includes the Tagish River channel connecting Tagish Lake to Marsh Lake on the upper Yukon River drainage system. The management plan affirms the importance of the area to the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, as well as community members. The completion of the plan also marks a milestone in implementation of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation Final Agreement.
The management plan will help conserve fish and wildlife populations and their habitats, including migratory waterfowl, while recognizing the relationship and connection to this important area by Carcross/Tagish First Nation.
This new management plan for the Tagish River Habitat Protection Area is reconciliation in action and fulfils one of the commitments under the Carcross/Tagish Final Agreement. Thank you to everybody who helped create this management plan, as well as to all Yukoners who contributed their feedback along the way. The management plan is available on Yukon.ca and TagishRiverHPA.com.
Minister of Environment Nils Clarke
The new Tagish River Habitat Protection Area management plan represents a collaborative effort between the Yukon government and the Carcross/Tagish First Nation to protect a range of species and the environment of these vital waterways. Through the incorporation of traditional and local knowledge as well as modern science, this new management plan will protect this area for generations of Yukoners to come.
Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources John Streicker
We are excited to announce the completion of the Tagish River Habitat Protection Area Management Plan after many years of collaborative efforts with the Government of Yukon, Canada, Carcross/Tagish Renewable Resources Council, and the Tagish Local Advisory Council. This management plan has innovative recommendations that should be considered in sharing and protecting a culturally important place for Tlingit and Tagish people. This step is also a milestone in the implementation of Carcross/Tagish First Nation’s Final Agreement, and we look forward to continued collaboration with the First Nation and our community members through implementation of the management plan
Carcross/Tagish First Nation Haa Shaa du Hen Maria Benoit
The Tagish River Habitat Protection Area management plan is about more than just protecting an ecologically and culturally important area. It is also about fulfilling commitments to our partners in the Carcross/Tagish First Nations and the Government of Yukon, to truly collaborate on this vital work that will leave a lasting impact on the land and waters. This important work also contributes to Canada’s commitment to conserve 25 per cent of lands and waters by 2025, and working towards 30 per cent by 2030.
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada
The Tagish River is a unique and vital habitat. My heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone involved in creating this management plan. Working with Carcross/Tagish First Nation and the Government of Canada, and hearing feedback from the community has been essential to creating a plan that reflects the interests, needs and importance of the region now and in the future.
Member of Parliament for Yukon Dr. Brendan Hanley
A steering committee was established in 2015 to create this management plan as a joint effort between the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, the Government of Yukon and Government of Canada, and in collaboration with the Carcross/Tagish Renewable Resources Council and the Tagish Local Area Council.
This fulfills a commitment under the Carcross/Tagish First Nation Final Agreement.
The plan incorporates Traditional Knowledge, local knowledge and science to inform management recommendations that will ensure this ecologically and culturally important area is protected now and in the future.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Chantelle Rivest
Communications, Environment
867-334-9815
chantelle.rivest@yukon.ca
Alison Callaghan
Communications, EMR
867-667-3123
alison.callaghan@yukon.ca