The debate about the Peel is far from over and that is a good thing.
It is important that everybody with an opinion speaks out loud, no matter on which side one stands. But please don’t twist the facts and don’t brainwash Yukoners.
In a recent letter to the News, one writer states that “outfitters want one-third of the Yukon for their playground.”
The fact is that the Peel planning area represents only 14 per cent of the Yukon. Of this, only 80 per cent is recommended for some sort of protection.
Take this into account and we are down to about 11 per cent of the Yukon. Now add all the already existing protected areas, including Kluane National Park, and we are short of 18 per cent of the whole Yukon.
Is this really too much to protect? I don’t think so!
Alaska already has 40 per cent of its land protected. The Northwest Territories’ goal is 36 per cent. These are the true numbers!
Christoph Altherr
Whitehorse