Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, after careful deliberation by all parties, I am pleased to announce the completion of a management plan for the Doi T'oh Territorial Park and Canol Heritage Trail.
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As agreed to in the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, a joint committee consisting of representatives of the three local land corps and the GNWT prepared the plan.
This plan describes initiatives which will guide the conservation and management of a proposed territorial park along the Canol Trail and Dodo Canyon in the Sahtu region, the mighty Sahtu region, Mr. Speaker.
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The plan also includes a protected areas agreement that articulates the impacts and benefits of the park for claimants.
An internationally known hiking challenge for the extreme enthusiast, park visitors will continue to enjoy:
- • dramatic wilderness scenery and watching wildlife such as sheep, grizzly bears, moose and wolves;
- • extreme wilderness hiking in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter along the Canol Trail's roadbed;
- • heritage interpretation of Canol trail remnants, and
- • cultural interpretation of the Mountain Dene.
The park is accessed by road from Yukon in the southwest and, Mr. Speaker, by air from Norman Wells in the northeast. The plan calls for partnerships with the private sector to develop additional aircraft landing sites. Summer ground transportation will be limited to organizations associated with the park.
Mr. Speaker, improved visitor safety is a priority of the plan. Safer river crossings will be introduced where needed along with proper trail signage and bear safety
information. The venture will offer opportunity for direct/indirect employment, business development for local people and organizations.
On the formal transfer of these Crown lands by DIAND, ITI will present a proposal to this Assembly for formal park designation and a new claimant corporation will formed to develop, operate and manage a new park under new contract to ITI. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate point later today, I will be proud to table the management plan for the Doi T'oh Heritage Park and Canol Heritage Trail. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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