Propose a new off-road vehicle management area

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.

1. 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
2. We review your proposal for its suitability.
3. We then consult with affected First Nations on your proposal. At the same time, we engage with the public on your proposal.
4. After we get input from First Nations and the public, we decide whether your proposal should be:
   • approved;
   • approved with amendments; or
   • rejected.
5. If we approve it, we create the off-road management area.
6. 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.