10.1.0 Objective

10.1.1 The objective of this chapter is to maintain important features of the Yukon's natural or cultural environment for the benefit of Yukon residents and all Canadians while respecting the rights of Yukon Indian People and Yukon First Nations.

10.2.0 Definitions

In this chapter, the following definition shall apply.

"Special Management Area" means an area identified and established within a Traditional Territory pursuant to this chapter and may include:

1. national wildlife areas;
2. National Parks, territorial parks, or national park reserves, and extensions thereof, and national historic sites;
3. special Wildlife or Fish management areas;
4. migratory bird sanctuaries or a wildlife sanctuary;
5. Designated Heritage Sites;
6. watershed protection areas; and
7. such other areas as a Yukon First Nation and Government agree from time to time.

10.3.0 Establishment of Special Management Areas

10.3.1 Provisions in respect of an existing Special Management Area may be set out in a Yukon First Nation Final Agreement.

10.3.2 Special Management Areas may be established in accordance with the terms of this chapter pursuant to a Yukon First Nation Final Agreement or pursuant to Laws of General Application.

10.3.3 Except as provided in a Yukon First Nation Final Agreement, where Government proposes to establish a Special Management Area, Government shall refer the proposal to the affected Renewable Resources Council for its review and recommendations.

10.3.4 Government may refer proposals to establish historic territorial parks, national historic sites administered by the Canadian Parks Service or to designate Heritage Sites as Designated Heritage Sites to the Heritage Resources Board established pursuant to 13.5.0 instead of the affected Renewable Resources Council for its review and recommendations.

10.3.5 A Special Management Area may not include Settlement Land without the consent of the affected Yukon First Nation.

10.4.0 Rights and Interests of Yukon First Nations

10.4.1 Where a Special Management Area is proposed to be established which will adversely affect rights of a Yukon First Nation under a Settlement Agreement, Government and the affected Yukon First Nation shall, at the request of either party, negotiate an agreement to:

10.4.1.1 establish any rights, interests and benefits of the affected Yukon First Nation in the establishment, use, planning, management and administration of the Special Management Area; and

10.4.1.2 mitigate adverse effects of the establishment of the Special Management Area on the affected Yukon First Nation.

10.4.2 Agreements negotiated pursuant to 10.4.1:

10.4.2.1 shall address the rights Yukon Indian People have for Harvesting Fish and Wildlife within the Special Management Area;

10.4.2.2 may address the economic and employment opportunities and benefits for the affected Yukon First Nation;

10.4.2.3 may address whether, and on what terms, including provisions on management, Settlement Land may be included in the Special Management Area; and

10.4.2.4 may include such other provisions as Government and the affected Yukon First Nation may agree.

10.4.3 Where Government and the affected Yukon First Nation do not agree on the terms of an agreement pursuant to 10.4.1, the parties may refer the outstanding issues to the dispute resolution process under 26.4.0.

10.4.4 Where mediation under 10.4.3 does not result in agreement, the Government may establish the Special Management Area.

10.4.5 Notwithstanding 6.2.3.2, access by a Yukon Indian Person to a Special Management Area established pursuant to 10.4.4 for Harvesting Fish or Wildlife pursuant to a Settlement Agreement may be limited or prohibited only for reasons of Conservation, public health or public safety.

10.4.6 Government and the affected Yukon First Nation may, at any time after the establishment of a Special Management Area pursuant to 10.4.4, negotiate an agreement pursuant to 10.4.1 in respect of that Special Management Area, in which case 10.4.5 shall no longer apply to that Special Management Area.

10.4.7 Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to derogate from any provision respecting National Parks in the Yukon First Nation Final Agreements for the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, the Kluane First Nation, the White River First Nation or the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation.

10.4.8 Any agreement concluded between Government and the affected Yukon First Nation pursuant to 10.4.1 may be amended according to the terms set out in that agreement.

10.4.9 Any agreement concluded between Government and the affected Yukon First Nation pursuant to 10.4.1 may be appended to and form part of that Yukon First Nation's Final Agreement if Government and the Yukon First Nation agree.

10.5.0 Management of Future Special Management Areas

10.5.1 Unless Government otherwise agrees, Government shall be the management authority for Special Management Areas on Non-Settlement Land.

10.5.2 Government shall prepare, or have prepared, a management plan for each Special Management Area established pursuant to a Yukon First Nation Final Agreement after the Effective Date of that Yukon First Nation Final Agreement.

10.5.3 Government shall make best efforts to complete the management plan within five years of the establishment of the Special Management Area.

10.5.4 Government shall review each management plan at least once every 10 years.

10.5.5 The management plan and any proposed amendments thereto shall be referred before approval to the relevant Renewable Resources Council or to the Yukon Heritage Resources Board, as the case may be, for its review and recommendations.

10.5.6 The provisions of 16.8.0 shall apply in respect of the implementation of any recommendations made pursuant to 10.5.5.

10.5.7 Should a management advisory body other than a body referred to in 10.5.5 be established by Government for the purpose of 10.3.3, 10.3.4 or 10.5.5, Yukon First Nation representation shall be 50 percent on any such body unless Government and the affected Yukon First Nation agree otherwise. Any such management advisory body shall have the responsibilities of a Renewable Resource Council or the Heritage Resources Board set out in this chapter.

10.5.8 Except as provided otherwise in this chapter, or in a Yukon First Nation Final Agreement, all National Parks and extensions, national park reserves and extensions and national historic parks and sites shall be planned, established and managed pursuant to the National Parks Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. N-14, other Legislation, the Canadian Parks Service policy and park management plans in effect from time to time.

10.5.9 Where a Special Management Area includes a National Park or its extension or national park reserve or its extension, exploration and development of non-renewable resources shall not be permitted, except in respect of the removal of sand, stone and gravel for construction purposes within the National Park or national park reserve.

10.5.10 Where a Special Management Area includes Yukon First Nation Burial Sites or places of religious and ceremonial significance to a Yukon First Nation, the management plan shall be consistent with the provisions of Chapter 13 - Heritage and shall provide for the protection and preservation of the sites or places.

10.6.0 Relationship to the Land Use Planning and Development Assessment Processes

10.6.1 Special Management Areas established after the effective date of Settlement Legislation shall be:

10.6.1.1 consistent with land use plans approved in accordance with Chapter 11 - Land Use Planning; and

10.6.1.2 subject to the provisions of Chapter 12 - Development Assessment.

10.7.0 Fish and Wildlife Management

10.7.1 Fish and Wildlife within Special Management Areas shall be managed in accordance with Chapter 16 - Fish and Wildlife.

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