I am concerned that our political representatives, regardless of party, appear to be unanimous in their desire to see this matter disappear down some lonely cul de sac to be quietly strangled to death.
Yukon’s unique and world-class wilderness deserves better than that.
What are we willing to aIlow happen on our watch ... further degradation of the landscape; increased harassment of fragile wildlife populations; heightened conflict among the various interest groups; establishment of yet more hunting-by-permit-only areas?
If we are to be successful and save the best of what we still have, there will be a price for all of us.
The goals of the biggest trophies, the most profit, the highest summits, or the farthest reaches will all need to step behind saving our wilderness and the fragile wildlife in it. It’s time we accepted the reality that, if we love what we still have, there are places we should only walk.
I have urged the select committee tasked with studying this issue to dedicate the efforts this topic deserves, and do their job to find and legislate the compromises necessary to protect and preserve our wilderness heritage.
Doing nothing will be the worst decision.
My vote and any influence I can bring to bear on others in the next election will depend on the solutions the various parties propose.
It’s that important.
Wolf Riedl
Haines Junction