1. Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
Panel 6 -- Sustainability Cross-Border Issues in the North Yukon Perspectives
Dan Paleczny, PhD
Director, Policy, Planning & Aboriginal Relations Branch, Department of Environment, Yukon
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

2. Outline Borders in context Yukon topics
Opportunities/benefits and challenges/barriers
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

3. Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
Borders in Context
Yukon
482,443 km2 186,272 mi2
Borders – main jurisdictions and agencies
Alaska State and US federal agencies
Northwest Territory
British Columbia
Canada – federal (DFO, PC, CWS, EC, AANDC)
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

4. Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
Major roadways
450,000 tourists/yr
Invasive species
Recycling
About 450,000 tourists/year; Yukon has enjoyed a steady growth in visitation of approximately three per cent per year since The increase in visitation was led by domestic visitors from other Canadian jurisdictions. Results from a tourism survey show the number of visitors to Yukon has increased by 25 per cent in the last decade.
Roadways – 42 campgrounds, invasive spp, recycling challenges being a small jurisdiction far from markets
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

5. Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
First Nations
14 Yukon First Nations; transboundary FNs; Inuvialuit
If we consider ‘internal’ borders, we have innumerable examples – UFA steering committees for park plans, species plans, land use plans, etc.
This map illustrates coverage and overlaps
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

6. Yukon First Nations, Inuvialuit, Tetlit Gwichin
This map puts a finer point on the ‘boundary/border’ aspect (territories).
Borders in Globalization,
June 17-18, 2015

7. Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
Eco Zones
Southern Arctic
Taiga
Cordillera
Taiga
Plains
Boreal
Cordillera
Within these 5 ecozones, 24 ecoregions can be discerned. Source: AgCanada, 1998
Pacific Maritime
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

8. Protected Areas Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
Over 16.8% of Yukon is in protected area status. Y2Y; Chilkoot Trail NHS; World Heritage Site
Globally, transboundary protected areas are established for many reasons – as peace parks, means to secure borders, and to increase ecological integrity – functioning natural ecosystems provide greater resilience to pressures such as climate change
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
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9. Transboundary Conservation
Communication or Information Sharing
Consultation
Coordinated Action
Joint Implementation of Decisions 1
Transboundary Protected Area 2
Transboundary Conservation Landscape and/or Seascape 3
Transboundary Migration Conservation Area
all
Peace Park
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

10. Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
Larger contiguous areas improve ecological integrity and resilience to pressures such as climate change – this enhances social and economic benefits.
WHS – largest in the world—report State of Conservation every 5 years; good international cooperation with search and rescue; multiple MOAs;
Tat-Alsek—joint patrols, setting and collecting fees (by US); bear monitoring; ‘River Operations Group’ with outfitters;
Chilkoot Trail NHS – Trail Centre in Skagway with PC staff; PC collect fees; great benefits and in-kind contributions with staff, training, equipment, signs, etc.; seamless operations
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
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11. Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
Transboundary landscape protected areas; Old Crow Flats includes FN lands, Yukon and Canada lands
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
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12. Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
Watersheds
Yukonwater.ca
Six major watersheds drain the territory, each with several tributaries. The major watersheds are the Alsek, Yukon, Porcupine (which drains to the Yukon River in Alaska), Peel (which drains to the Mackenzie Delta), Liard (which drains to the Mackenzie Basin through British Columbia, Alberta and the Northwest Territories), and North Slope. Source: yukonwater.ca
The Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement (1997) is an agreement between Canada (as represented by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada), British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. The purpose is to maintain the ecological integrity of the Mackenzie River Basin.
The purpose of the Bilateral Water Management Agreements is to define how provincial and territorial governments will work together to cooperatively manage and share information about trans-boundary waters.
The Yukon – NWT Transboundary Water Management Agreement (signed January 2000) applies to the Peel River Watershed and is the only Agreement finalized to date pursuant to the Master Agreement.
The Yukon comprises a relatively small portion of the Mackenzie Basin (NT – 47%; Alberta - 26%; BC-16%; Yukon – 7%; Saskatchewan – 6%).
The Mackenzie River Basin is Canada’s largest river basin:
1.8 million km2 total area.
20% of Canada’s land mass.
10th largest river basin on earth.
includes Canada’s longest river system, the Mackenzie (4,241 kms).
includes the largest lake entirely within Canada (Great Bear Lake).
accounts for 60% of the freshwater flowing to the Arctic Ocean from Canada.
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

13. Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
Yukon River Watershed
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

14. Yukon River Watershed 323,800 km2 186,272 mi2
The Yukon River is the longest river in Yukon & Alaska. Third longest river in North America, flowing northwest from the Coastal Range mountains of northern British Columbia, through the Yukon Territory and Alaska to the Bering Sea. Its overall length is 3185 kilometers (km), with 1149 km within Canadian borders. The watershed’s total drainage area is sq. km ( sq. km in Canada) and it discharges 195 cubic kilometers of water per year. Source:
Historical importance to aboriginal people and the Klodike Gold Rush of 1898.
Salmon spawn in the Canadian headwaters – allowing sustainable levels of spring spawners is crucial – targets set.
YRITWC MISSION
We, the Indigenous Tribes/First Nations from the headwaters to the mouth of the Yukon River, having been placed here by our Creator, do hereby agree to initiate and continue the clean up and preservation of the Yukon River for the protection of our own and future generations of our Tribes/First Nations and for the continuation of our traditional Native way of life.
323,800 km2 186,272 mi2
840,000 km2 (323,800 in Canada)
3,185 km (1,149 in Canada) 195 km3/yr
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
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15. Salmon Conservation Canada-US Pacific Salmon Treaty, 1985
Pacific Salmon Commission
Inter’l Yukon River Salmon Agreement, 2001
Yukon River Panel (recommendations)
Yukon Salmon Sub-committee (Umbrella Final Agreement)
Recommendations to Federal
Dept of Fisheries and Oceans;
First Nation Voluntary Reductions & Closures (ceremonial use)
30,000 – 80,000 chinook /year migrate
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

16. Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
Yukon River Panel
Established by treaty between Canada and USA for the conservation, management and harvest sharing of Canadian-origin Yukon River salmon.
Main Roles:
DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT agreed research and management programs;
MAKE ANNUAL RECOMMENDATIONS to the respective responsible management agencies of both countries concerning conservation and management coordination;
SET AND ADJUST annual salmon spawning escapement objectives, if necessary, based on pre-season projections, stock status and recommendations from the JTC; and
OVERSEE the use and administration of the Restoration & Enhancement Fund.
14. The Yukon River Panel shall make recommendations to the management entities concerning the conservation and co-ordinated management of salmon originating in the Yukon River in Canada.
15. The respective management entities shall take into account the recommendations of the Yukon River Panel in the adoption of regulations, and shall ensure the enforcement of these regulations. These entities shall exchange annual fishery management plans prior to each season.
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

17. Chinook Salmon Targets
Goal – 42,500 fish reach border
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

18. Caribou Herds Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
28 herds in Yukon; 5 were increasing; 7 stable; 14 unknown; 2 declining (small Kluane herd and Finlayson.
Declines in circumpolar north may be due to environmental changes, natural population cycles or human influences such as harvest and development. SOER 2014
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

19. Porcupine Caribou Herd
197,000 animals
Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement, 1985
PCM Board
Canada-US Agreement, 1987
International Porcupine Caribou Board
PCMA Parties
First Nation of NaCho Nyäk Dun
Gwich’in Tribal Council
Inuvialuit Game Council
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in
Vuntut Gwitchin Government
Government of the Northwest Territories
Government of Yukon
Government of Canada
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

20. Porcupine Caribou Harvest Management Plan
8 parties collaborate to ensure consistent implementation across the Canadian herd range
Adjust
8 parties make changes to hunting rules under their own systems
Hunting rules in place across the Canadian herd range
Implement
Adaptive Management Cycle
Evaluate
PCMB hosts annual meeting
8 parties assess herd status and recommend harvest regime
Monitor
Harvest data
Biological field work
Arctic Borderlands interviews
Enforcement

21. Opportunities & Challenges
Opportunities/Benefits:
Ecological integrity
Social, economic
Knowledge--TK and western science
Data and information
Technical capacity
Resource sharing- HR/$
Enhanced dispute resolution mechanisms
UFA management bodies – maintaining working relationships
Challenges/Barriers:
Ecological complexity & uncertainty– migratory species
Border / jurisdictional administration
Multiple parties -- elections, regulatory environment
Cooperation—requires effort
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

22. Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015
Contact Information
Dan Paleczny, PhD Director, Policy, Planning & Aboriginal Relations Department of Environment, Yukon Web: LinkedIn
Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015

23. Borders in Globalization, June 17-18, 2015