The Yukon government is planning upgrades to Pine Lake Campground over a five-year development to improve the site’s infrastructure and recreational offerings, according to a Yukon government proposal before the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YEASB).
The proposal indicates that the government plans to build 16 new vehicle-accessible campsites involving approximately 350 metres of additional roadway. Six walk-in camping sites with tent pads are also part of the government’s plan to upgrade the Pine Lake campground.
Each new campsite will include standard amenities like firepits, picnic benches and site posts. Walk-in campsites will have foot access paths that connect them to parking areas and roads, and a nine-hole disc golf course is expected to be developed within the connecting Pine Creek trail network.
The Yukon government’s development plans for the site include establishing a year-round multi-use trail measuring 1,500 metres and re-routing the Pine Creek trail to 600 metres. Additionally, a footbridge or boardwalk will be installed across the low-lying area of the trail. The proposal states that trails will be surfaced with wood chips or filled with geotextiles, a type of fabric commonly used in construction, when required.
The development proposal submitted to YESAB also includes a new campground kiosk and cultural installation, such as a permanently affixed carving. Other upgrades include additional outhouses, garbage receptacles, food storage lockers and firewood boxes, along with interpretive signage that provides educational information along trails and within the campground area.
According to the proposal, the government reported that the campground approximately five kilometres from Haines Junction saw just over 9,000 visitors in 2023, the highest number since 2014. The planned construction of additional campsites aligns with Yukon Parks' 2020 Strategy, which aims to increase camping opportunities within the network of territorial campgrounds.
The timing of individual development components will depend on assessment and regulatory processes and funding availability, according to the proposal. Additionally, collaboration with Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) will play a role in determining the project's timeline.
The Pine Lake campground experiences peak activity during the snow-free season. However, locals also frequent it in the winter for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing on Pine Lake, according to the proposal.
Currently, the Pine Lake campground includes 42 campsites, a boat launch, a dock and a day-use area equipped with a kitchen shelter, playground, firepit and lakefront beach.
In its proposal to YESAB, the Yukon government highlighted environmental and socioeconomic conditions, identified potential impacts of the planned upgrades, and outlined proposed mitigation measures to address any adverse effects.
Yukon Parks identified a small number of historic and heritage resources in high heritage resource potential areas through field investigations by Ecofor Consulting Ltd. An impact assessment will be finalized after a thorough review by Champagne-Aishihik First Nation and Yukon heritage, according to the proposal.
To mitigate compromising or destroying heritage resources through development work, the proposal highlights that the Yukon government shall seek opportunities to work with and engage staff from Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and Yukon Tourism and Culture during construction phases of the project.
The Pine Lake recreation park development overlaps with a registered trapline concession and an outfitting concession, but no impact on these activities is expected, given the area's high human presence and proximity to residential properties.
The environmental assessment highlighted the importance of Pine Lake as a winter habitat for the endangered little brown bat species. Mitigation measures include avoiding construction near bat shelters and maintaining existing bat boxes to protect the bats' winter roosting areas.
The removal of trees and ground clearing activities could lead to wildlife and habitat loss, the proposal acknowledges. Medium to large-sized animals, such as moose, lynx and bears usually avoid hazards making them less vulnerable.
However, smaller animals and amphibians, such as red squirrels and wood frogs, may be more prone to directly being impacted by development activities. Birds are considered low risk in the proposal, but nesting birds may suffer if their nests are damaged during the nesting season.
To reduce wildlife and habitat loss, several mitigations are proposed. Tree removal and ground cover disturbance will be avoided during bird nesting season. Early nesting bird nests will be protected, and a 50-metre buffer zone is suggested.
Raptor nests and bat roosts will be monitored and a no disturbance buffer will be maintained around them, the proposal states. Work activities will be paused if wildlife like moose or bears are encountered and bear dens will have protective buffer zones to ensure their safety.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com
