Proposed Yukon campground faces opposition
More First Nation consultation needed on Atlin Lake development, say residents
The proposed location of a new Yukon campground beside Atlin Lake is meeting with some opposition from those who say not enough was done to consult with First Nations.
The territorial government held a public meeting in Carcross Tuesday night to hear from residents. The proposed campground at the north end of the lake near the Yukon-B.C. border would have about 50 campsites total and a boat launch.
Adam Winters from Teslin says he works on traplines near Atlin Lake and he's against any development. He also accuses the Yukon Government of rushing the plan and not consulting local First Nations.
"It was kind of offensive to get a fact sheet that says 'the campground will include...' as if it has already been approved."
John Ward from Atlin says local First Nations should have had more input from the beginning.
"I don't see any of our people intricately involved in this," he said. "This is just another picture of foreigners to our traditional territory taking over more of our land."
Eric Schroff from Yukon Parks took questions for three hours at the meeting.
"It is difficult sometimes," he said. "It is contentious. These are deeply held personal values that we respect, but we need to have the conversations to make the final decision about the campground going ahead."
More meetings happen Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Yukon Inn in Whitehorse and Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Atlin Recreation Centre in Atlin, B.C.