Proposed Yukon campground faces opposition

The proposed location of a new Yukon campground besideAtlinLake is meeting with some opposition from those who say not enough was done to consult with First Nations.

The territorial government held a public meeting in CarcrossTuesday night to hear from residents. The proposedcampground at the north end of the lake near the Yukon-B.C. borderwould have about 50 campsites total and a boat launch.

Adam Wintersfrom Teslinsays heworkson traplines near Atlin Lake and he's against any development.He also accuses the Yukon Government of rushing the plan and not consulting local First Nations.

"It was kind of offensive to get a fact sheet that says 'the campground will include...' as if it has already been approved."

John Ward from Atlinsays local First Nations should have had more input from the beginning.

"I don't see any of our people intricatelyinvolved in this," he said. "This is just another picture of foreigners to our traditional territorytaking over more of our land."

Eric Schroff from Yukon Parks took questions for three hours at the meeting.

"Itis difficult sometimes," he said. "It is contentious. These are deeply held personal values that we respect, but we need to have the conversations to make the final decision about the campground going ahead."

More meetings happenWednesday at 7 p.m. at the Yukon Inn in Whitehorse and Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Atlin Recreation Centre in Atlin, B.C.