The Regime
The Placer Regime haswill replace the existing Yukon Placer Authorization (YPA). A new Regime became necessary in December 2002 when the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans announced his decision to phase out the YPA. The rationale for replacing the YPA can be found on the Comparison with YPA page.
The Regime addresses potential effects of placer mining activities on fish and fish habitat. It is needed because of the requirements of the federal Fisheries Act. This Act governs fisheries management, pollution prevention, and conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat. It prohibits the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction (HADD) of fish habitat, unless an authorization is given as described in section 35(2) of the Act. Fisheries Act authorizations are required for placer mining because it takes place in creeks and other streams. More information can be found in the Placer Mining section of this website.
Currently, Fisheries Act authorization for placer mining is governed by the YPA. After a new Regime is finalized and implemented, it will be the basis for all Fisheries Act authorizations.
A key guiding principle of the Regime is that it must recognize the importance of conservation of fish and fish habitat supporting fisheries, and the importance of a sustainable placer industry.
It is important to note that the Placer Regime does not deal with effects of hard rock mining or apply to wildlife or land use. It deals only with authorizations for placer mining and potential effects on fish and fish habitat.
Water samples at Carmacks Consultation meeting, June 20, 2006
Legislative & Policy Context
Although the proposed Regime is being established under the auspices of the federal Fisheries Act, it must work within a context of several other legislative acts, regulations and government policies.
As the Regime was being drafted, the requirements of all these other acts and policies were taken into consideration.
These acts and policies include:
- Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act, which establishes a single impartial assessment process of activities throughout the Yukon.
- Waters Act, which requires most placer operations to obtain a water use license, with terms and conditions, from the Yukon Water Board.
- Placer Mining Act, which requires placer miners to have an approved placer mining land use operating plan.
- Fish Habitat Management Policy, which includes the objective to ensure "no net loss" of fish habitat. Its long term goal is to achieve net gains in habitat and aquatic health at the watershed level.
- Wild Salmon Policy, which aims to restore and maintain healthy and diverse salmon populations and habitat.
- Yukon Government responsibility for management of freshwater fisheries since 1989.
-
Yukon Land Claims Agreements, which set out powers & responsibilities for management of fish & fish habitat. The agreements mandate the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board as the primary instrument of fish management, and the Yukon Salmon Committee as the main instrument of salmon management in the Yukon.
Last Updated: 4/17/2008