Off-road vehicle management areas protect ecologically sensitive areas from damage from off-road vehicle activity.
An off-road vehicle management area can:
- restrict off-road vehicle use entirely;
- allow off-road vehicle use on restricted trails with an approved permit; or
- provide an approved trail plan of roads and trails that can continue to be used:
- without restrictions on a year-round basis;
- with seasonal restrictions; or
- with restrictions for certain types of off-road vehicles.
We create management areas through a public review process that includes:
- consultation with First Nations; and
- engagement with:
- communities;
- members of the public;
- groups; and
- organizations.
Timeline
We are not currently accepting proposals for new off-road vehicle management areas. We'll start accepting proposals on January 29, 2022.
We'll create off-road vehicle management areas in 2021 if a completed Government of Yukon public planning process recommends them.
Eligibility
You can submit a proposal for a new off-road vehicle management area if you represent:
- the Government of Canada;
- the Government of Yukon;
- a Yukon First Nations government;
- a municipal government;
- the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board;
- a Renewable Resource Council; or
- a Local Advisory Council.
If you do not represent any of the above organizations, you must have 1 of them complete and submit the application on your behalf.
Prepare your proposal
Your application must contain:
- your name and contact details;
- a description of the proposed off-road vehicle management area;
- a list of factors relating to off-road vehicle damage in the area, such as:
- off-road vehicle type or class;
- tire tread type;
- soil type associated with an identified ecosystem;
- water saturation;
- frequency of use;
- season or time of year;
- topography; and
- vegetation;
- evidence of off-road vehicle damage to the ecology or physical characteristics of the area, such as:
- photographs clearly verifying the area and damage;
- affidavits of witnesses; and
- the location of the area of damage.
- identification of areas susceptible and non-susceptible to damage;
- evidence of susceptibility to off-road vehicle damage, such as:
- a protected habitat;
- a sensitive ecosystem; or
- the classification of ecosystem;
- identification of all existing off-road vehicle trails, including any that have evidence of off-road vehicle damage;
- a 1:50,000 Yukon topographical map outlining:
- off-road vehicle trails;
- sensitive and non-sensitive areas; and
- the proposed management area’s boundaries;
- a trail plan; and
- consideration of off-road vehicle management within municipal or community boundaries.
Submit your proposal
We are not currently accepting proposals for new off-road vehicle management areas. We will start accepting proposals on January 29, 2022.
- Submit your proposal to the Land Management Branch.
In person: we're located at 320-300 Main Street in Whitehorse. We're open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Mail:
Government of Yukon
Land Management Branch (K-320)
Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6 - We review your proposal for its suitability.
- We then consult with affected First Nations on your proposal. At the same time, we engage with the public on your proposal.
- After we get input from First Nations and the public, we decide whether your proposal should be:
- approved;
- approved with amendments; or
- rejected.
- If we approve it, we create the off-road management area.
- If required, we begin working on a trail plan for the management area. This will include consultation with First Nations and public engagement.
Creating a temporary restriction
We can temporarily restrict off-road vehicle use for up to 90 days in cases where immediate protection of sensitive areas is necessary.
We can create the temporary restrictions in areas:
- not proposed to become an off-road vehicle management area; or
- that are proposed to become an off-road vehicle management area when:
- the proposal is out for public review and First Nations consultation; or
- during the development of the trail plan.
Learn more about how to propose a 90-day off-road vehicle restriction.
The Land Management Branch can help you with any questions. Phone 867-667-3185 or email Michael.Draper@yukon.ca.