Yukon Government (YG) consultation on ORV rules
March 2019
Yukon's Energy Mines and Resources (EMR) department is inviting public input on proposed regulations for off-road vehicles (ORVs):
http://www.emr.gov.yk.ca/landmanagement/Off-road-vehicle-regulation.html
The survey deadline is April 8, 2019.
Yukon's Energy Mines and Resources (EMR) department is inviting public input on proposed regulations for off-road vehicles (ORVs):
http://www.emr.gov.yk.ca/landmanagement/Off-road-vehicle-regulation.html
The survey deadline is April 8, 2019.
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To view the 2019 EMR proposal, click this icon:
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Active Trails Whitehorse Association (ATWA) position summary on YG’s February 2019 proposal
ATWA is pleased that YG is moving towards ORV regulations; however, we have serious concerns about some aspects of the February 2019 proposal.
ATWA feels strongly that Yukon ORV regulations should include snowmobiles:
ATWA feels strongly that ORVs should be restricted to established trails, and that an application & permit process be established for all proposed new trails.
Active Trails Whitehorse Association (ATWA) position summary on YG’s February 2019 proposal
ATWA is pleased that YG is moving towards ORV regulations; however, we have serious concerns about some aspects of the February 2019 proposal.
- The proposal excludes snowmobiles from these ORV regulations, and
- ORVs would be allowed to operate off-trail on vast portions of public lands outside of proposed Management Areas.
ATWA feels strongly that Yukon ORV regulations should include snowmobiles:
- Snowmobiles have numerous negative impacts on land and wildlife: https://www.activetwa.org/snowmobile-impacts.html
- See YG’s 2017 ORV Regulations Workshop Summary Report, page 10: “Many participants especially First Nations noted that snowmobile trails and activities have negative impacts on wildlife in the winter… and felt snowmobiles should be included in the ORV regulations.” http://www.emr.gov.yk.ca/landmanagement/pdf/orv-meeting-summary-december-2017.pdf
- BC, Alberta and NWT include snowmobiles in their ORV regulations.
- Many Yukoners operate snowmobiles in the BC sections of the Haines and Skagway Roads, and around Atlin BC, and must abide by BC laws for ORVs. It would bring consistency and better compliance if the Yukon developed ORV regulations similar to BC laws. For information on the BC regulations for ORVs: https://www.activetwa.org/new-snowmobile--atv-rules-for-bc.html
- City of Whitehorse 2010 submission to the Select Committee on ORV use included snowmobiles: https://www.activetwa.org/yukon-consultation-on-orv-rules.html (bottom of webpage)
- Some snowmobile models are designed to be converted into wheeled vehicle for summer use, and vice-versa.
ATWA feels strongly that ORVs should be restricted to established trails, and that an application & permit process be established for all proposed new trails.
- The YG’s 2017 ORV Regulations Workshop Summary Report, page 12, has similar comments from participants: http://www.emr.gov.yk.ca/landmanagement/pdf/orv-meeting-summary-december-2017.pdf
- ATVs are known to have started wildfires when operating off-trail as their hot engine/muffler comes in contact with vegetation. Restricting ATVs to established trails will reduce the risk of wildfires.
- It has been commonly observed in the Yukon that a new ORV trail attracts other ORVers, and the ‘new’ trail becomes eroded, braided, and wider than 1.5 metre.
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ATWA's March 26, 2019 detailed submission to YG:
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March 13, 2019
The Yukon Legislative Assembly discussed the history of proposed ORV regulations.
See Hansard, page 3850 to 3864: http://www.legassembly.gov.yk.ca/hansard/34-legislature/124.pdf
Motion #272, carried:
"THAT this House urges the Government of Yukon to develop regulations needed to use the protection area provisions provided in the Territorial Lands (Yukon) Act to protect and manage sensitive areas from off-road vehicle use as informed by the current public engagement on ORVs before the end of this government’s mandate."
The Yukon Legislative Assembly discussed the history of proposed ORV regulations.
See Hansard, page 3850 to 3864: http://www.legassembly.gov.yk.ca/hansard/34-legislature/124.pdf
Motion #272, carried:
"THAT this House urges the Government of Yukon to develop regulations needed to use the protection area provisions provided in the Territorial Lands (Yukon) Act to protect and manage sensitive areas from off-road vehicle use as informed by the current public engagement on ORVs before the end of this government’s mandate."
December 2017 - January 2018
The Yukon Government hosted a two day workshop in December 2017 on the development of Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) regulations in the Yukon.
A summary report on the workshop was produced in January 2018:
http://www.emr.gov.yk.ca/landmanagement/pdf/orv-meeting-summary-december-2017.pdf
The Yukon Government hosted a two day workshop in December 2017 on the development of Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) regulations in the Yukon.
A summary report on the workshop was produced in January 2018:
http://www.emr.gov.yk.ca/landmanagement/pdf/orv-meeting-summary-december-2017.pdf
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2015
Yukon's EMR produced "A Summary of Comments on Off-road Vehicles Regulations":
http://www.emr.gov.yk.ca/landmanagement/pdf/orv-comment-summary-201602.pdf
Yukon's EMR produced "A Summary of Comments on Off-road Vehicles Regulations":
http://www.emr.gov.yk.ca/landmanagement/pdf/orv-comment-summary-201602.pdf
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or click this icon:
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A local group, Trails Only Yukon (TOYA) has a website ( http://www.trailsonly.ca/ ) on ORV consultation in the Yukon.
Yukon News, May 15, 2015 article: "ATV consultation is stuck in 1980: TOYA"
http://www.yukon-news.com/news/atv-consultation-is-stuck-in-1980-toya/
Whitehorse Star, May 14, 2015 article: “ORV consultation called confusing, badly timed”
http://www.whitehorsestar.com/News/orv-consultation-called-confusing-badly-timed
A local group, Trails Only Yukon (TOYA) has a website ( http://www.trailsonly.ca/ ) on ORV consultation in the Yukon.
Yukon News, May 15, 2015 article: "ATV consultation is stuck in 1980: TOYA"
http://www.yukon-news.com/news/atv-consultation-is-stuck-in-1980-toya/
Whitehorse Star, May 14, 2015 article: “ORV consultation called confusing, badly timed”
http://www.whitehorsestar.com/News/orv-consultation-called-confusing-badly-timed
November 2014
Regrettably, the Yukon Government made some changes to the Motor Vehicle Act which weakened the requirements for ORV operation in the backcountry. As a result, the City of Whitehorse amended its bylaws in February 2015 to maintain the requirements for operating ATVs and snowmobiles within municipal boundaries.
For more information on this matter, visit our webpage:
https://www.activetwa.org/motor-vehicle-act--off-road-vehicle-rules.html
March 2011
The Report of the Select Committee on the Safe Operation and Use of Off-road Vehicles, includes survey results and 14 recommendations, at the following link:
http://www.legassembly.gov.yk.ca/pdf/report__sov.pdf
Regrettably, the Yukon Government made some changes to the Motor Vehicle Act which weakened the requirements for ORV operation in the backcountry. As a result, the City of Whitehorse amended its bylaws in February 2015 to maintain the requirements for operating ATVs and snowmobiles within municipal boundaries.
For more information on this matter, visit our webpage:
https://www.activetwa.org/motor-vehicle-act--off-road-vehicle-rules.html
March 2011
The Report of the Select Committee on the Safe Operation and Use of Off-road Vehicles, includes survey results and 14 recommendations, at the following link:
http://www.legassembly.gov.yk.ca/pdf/report__sov.pdf
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City of Whitehorse submission to the Select Committee on ORV use, included snowmobiles.
| 2010_whitehorse_submission_to_select_committee_on_orv_regulations.pdf |
Quotes from the above City of Whitehorse submission to the Select Committee:
- "For the puposes of this submission ORVs are defined as ATVs, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, dune buggies etc."
- "ORV Registration and License Plate This is the single most important amendment to the legislation being sought by the City of Whitehorse. Currently, it is extremely difficult to identify offenders as their vehicles have no license plate ... City Bylaws are near impossible to enforce under the current circumstances."
- "The City is requesting that the following amendments be made to ORV legislation: 1. Require all ORVs be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles at point of sale."