The Carcross-Tagish First Nation’s plan for a housing development along Bennett Lake has the go-ahead from the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board.
The board’s recommendation is that the project be allowed to proceed, as long as plans are put in place to protect endangered Baikal sedge in the area and address blowing sand issues.
The plan is to build a subdivision along the shore of Bennett Lake north of town behind the school, and to put the development up for sale on the open market. It’s all part of the government’s larger economic revitalization plan for the area, which also includes a high-end resort farther down the lake.
Justin Ferbey, the head of the CTFN development corporation, said the housing development will include a 15-metre buffer zone around construction to protect sensitive plant life.
He said he hopes road construction to access the area will begin this spring, assuming the weather co-operates.