Merry Christmas Everyone!

A cartoon published in the paper. It would be funny if it wasn't so close to the truth!

Letter to Council from Mike Tribes, Porter Creek Resident

Supporters of McIntyre Creek need to get involved by sending letters to the City Council, and the newspapers, to keep up the pressure to protect the McIntyre Creek wildlife corridor.

If you read the comments below, you will see that again the deck is being stacked so the City gets the answers it wants, without being open to the possibility that Porter Creek D will not be developed.

Thanks to Mike Tribe for this letter.

"I want to thank the City Council for hearing input from concerned citizens and various groups.

I especially want to thank Councillors Cameron, Irwin, and Pillai for recognizing that a communication breakdown occured during the working group meetings, and that the process needed to be fixed. Councillors Stockdale and Roberts offered encouragement by suggesting that we move ahead with this preliminary phase and answer a lot of questions, so we can proceed to make a decision, and that development is not a done deal.

After reading the PC-D Subdivision Development Agreement between YTG and the city, I noticed some things that are of particular concern, that make me question whether or not this is a done deal.

On page 1

Whereas: B. the Parties have agreed in principle that the area known as Porter Creek D... is developable land for a residential neighbourhood and wish for the planning and public consultation process that will lead to development of this area to proceed.

Whereas: E. the Parties have agreed that all planning work undertaken to develop lost must be 100% recovered from the sale of such lots.

This suggests to me that the basic terms of reference of the agreement suggest that the city and YTG want the development to occur, and the planning and public consultation will lead to development of the area, and that all costs will be 100% recoverable.

Councillor Roberts: If development does not occur, which you promised is a valid outcome, how will the $420,000 cost be recovered, as stated in this agreement? And why does section B say planning will lead to development?

The document also says under responsibilities, item 2.2:

The Planning, feasibility and subdivision approval exercise will result in:

• An Environmental Assessment decision document that supports the Porter Creek D subdivision development; and
• an approved subdivision plan for the phased development.

This item also suggest that there will be an approved subdivision plan. This sounds like a done deal. There is no "if" in this clause. Apparently YESAB will approve development and an approved subdivision plan will be produced.

Under resposibilities, item 2.5:

The detailed engineering design and tender documents exercise will result in:

• Development of the Porter Creek D Subdivision

Again this raises the fear that development is a done deal.

I understand the sense of urgency to push ahead with this. Section 6.0, Schedule says the detailed design of the development can commence no later than December 2011. Was it this clause that was driving the pressure to not restore the faith in the City's consulting process, in delaying a decision by 6 weeks?

And while I have faith in the promises made by Councillors Roberts and Stockdale that development is not a forgone conclusion, and that this is just predesign, will those commitments supercede this Subdivision Planning Agreement, which commits to cost recovery, should it be decided that development not go ahead?

Thanks for listening.

Mike Tribes

Porter Creek Resident"

Let's Fill the Room on December 12th!

Hello Friends of McIntyre Creek,

Another big meeting is approaching: on Monday, December 12th, 2011, City Council will be making the decision whether to give the go-ahead for further planning of the proposed developments in Middle McIntyre Creek. City Council needs to keep getting the strong message that we say No! to Porter Creek-D and the connector roads - we need everybody out on Monday!

The meeting will be held at 7:30 pm in Council Chambers, City Hall. If you would like to make a presentation, you must pre-register with the City Clerk at 668-8621.

Despite the weather this past Monday, we had a great turnout at the City Council Meeting and a number of very good presentations. Since that meeting, an Administrative Report has been made available by City Planners that summarizes and responds to the concerns that have been raised. If you want a copy, or you have questions or comments, call Christina at 668-5678. We're currently drafting a response to this Administrative Report which will be circulated shortly.

See you all on December 12th!

NEWS Release Dec. 10-11

NDP to Table McIntyre Creek Petition in the Legislature

The New Democratic Party is tabling a petition about McIntyre Creek in the legislature
tomorrow. The petition calls for the Yukon government to protect Middle McIntyre Creek
and oppose development proposals in the area.

The Friends of McIntyre Creek, Yukon Conservation Society, Porter Creek Community
Association and Takhini North Community Association have been circulating the petition
since Nov. 3rd.

“Our MLA Kate White strongly supported protecting Middle McIntyre Creek during the
territorial election, so we were happy to accept her offer to table the petition in the
legislature,” said Takhini North Community Association President Noel Sinclair.

221 signatures were signed in hard copy and 145 signatures were obtained through an
online petition, for a total of 366.

“These signatures show significant support for protecting this well loved recreational
and wildlife area,” said YCS Executive Director Karen Baltgailis. “The vast majority of
the public input to the City’s consultation process about the proposed developments
also calls for the area to be protected from roads and houses.”

City Council Decision on Middle McIntyre Creek December 12th

City Council Decision on Middle McIntyre Creek December 12th!

Hello Friends of McIntyre Creek,

City Hall has received over 500 comments about the proposed developments in Middle McIntyre Creek! Let's keep the pressure on in the days leading up to the December 12th decision by City Council.

Here's How:

1. Attend and/or present at the December 5th and 12th City Council meetings. On December 5th, City Council will be reviewing public input on the proposed developments. On December 12th, City Council will be deciding whether to approve the proposed developments. The bigger the presence we have at these two meetings the better - let's fill the room!

Both meetings will take place at 7:30pm in the Council Chambers, City Hall.

I encourage you to make a presentation at one or both of these two meetings. If you would like to present, please contact Norma (668-8622) or Frieda (668-8621) at City Hall. Pre-registration is encouraged for the December 5th meeting and is mandatory for the December 12th meeting. 5 minutes are allotted per presentation.

2. Kate White of the Yukon NDP, will be presenting the Petition to Protect Middle McIntyre Creek to the Yukon Legislature on December 5. As of today, over 350 people have signed the petition! A big attendance in the Legislature when this Petition is presented is key. Details about timing to follow.

3. Persuade City Councillors to listen to the public input and protect Middle McIntyre Creek. Here is the website containing their contact information: http://www.whitehorse.ca/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={ACDB6341-BF17-45A6-880F-243DF59D4A7D}


Questions, comments? Contact Christina at YCS, 668-5678

Flooded Creek - November 23, 2011

The trail was closed when the creek overflowed the banks. It was at least 6 feet higher than normal and had flooded well over the banks. It was interesting that the creek by the Pump House looked normal, so the flooding was only at the bridge closest to the College.

Petititon to Save McIntyre Creek Corridor

The Friends of McIntyre Creek had this petition at the recent open house when the City of Whitehorse presented their plans to develop Porter Creek D. We got 126 signatures in 4 hours. We have the petition at the Yukon Conservation Society Office at 302 Hawkins Street in Whitehorse, so if you are down town, you can drop in and sign it.

However, in this age of internet access, we decided to add this to our blog, so more people can show their support. Just click on the link, fill in the information, and press done.

Survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/M7WHL6K

New Eagle on the Perch

On our hike today, I spotted an eagle on their favourite perch in McIntyre Creek. This perch is normally occupied by a Bald Eagle, so when I saw this one, I at first thought it was a young bald eagle, but from the colouring I saw when I got the photo on my computer, I am guessing it is a Golden Eagle. It is always enjoyable to see the changing seasons bring out different species. Unfortunately, I was only carrying my pocket camera, with 5x zoom, so wasn't able to get the detail I would have liked. The bird was quite interested in watching us, as much as we were interested in watching it.

Nov. 16/11 - Just got an email from someone who knows birds, and was told this is indeed a young bald eagle, not a golden eagle. "The immature Golden Eagle has no white on the body, only on the wings, at the base of the primaries, and at the base of the tail."

November 5, 2011 - Bridge and ice

The rocks that had been placed to prevent cars and trucks crossing the bridge by the Pump House, had been moved, leaving only one in place, which may be enough to stop traffic for the moment, but why the other three rocks were moved is still a question.

The bridge closer to the College has ice forming on the branches of the trees across the creek, making ice sculptures.

This area has so much to offer hikers, photographers, dog walkers, joggers, schools for education, and of course a passage for the wildlife who use the corridor to pass from the mountain to the Yukon River, as well as the creatures who make this area their home, that we really need to work together to protect it for future generations.

Petition to Protect Middle McIntyre Creek

The Friends of McIntyre Creek and Yukon Conservation Society held an open house at the High Country Inn November 3, to show people the values of preserving the McIntyre Creek as a a wildlife corridor, and recreation area. The petition below had 126 signatures collected in one night.

At the City of Whitehorse Open House, there were only a couple of comments supporting development, and hundreds of comments against. This is not enough to stop development in the area, and we need to get more signatures to save the corridor.

If you agree that this area needs protection, please go to

Yukon Conservation Society Office at

32 Hawkins Street in Whitehorse,

and add your signature to the petition.

Petition to Protect Middle McIntyre Creek

To the Honorable Ministers of Environment, Education, and Community Services:

Whereas a healthful environment is indispensable to human life and health; and,

Whereas every individual in the Yukon has a statutory right to a healthful environment; and,

Whereas having nearby natural areas contributes significantly to a healthful environment; and,

Whereas the McIntyre Creek Corridor has been identified as the largest contiguous Significant Wildlife Area within the City of Whitehorse, and is thereby an irreplaceable natural and educational resource for the citizens of the Yukon;

We the undersigned strongly support the conservation and long-term protection of Middle McIntyre Creek for the benefit of present and future Yukoners.

We hereby petition the Government of Yukon to designate Middle McIntyre Creek as an environmentally protected area and to oppose any municipal proposals for roads, housing or other developments which are inconsistent with environmental protection.

The Classroom of the Outdoors

KIDS NEED DIRT, TREES, AND FRESH AIR TO LEARN


The convergence of two crises: mental and physical health in children. The two problems are related: the more detached kids become from the natural world, the more stunted their mental growth and the more obese they become.

When you build real nature (rocks, trees, bugs, birds, animals, etc.) into kids activities they behave more civilly to one another and they concentrate better in school and perform better.

A 45 minute walk in the forest increases cognitive performance, a 45 minute walk in the city does not. University of Michigan researchers.

No child should be left inside. Our brains are built to process sensory input from all sides, to focus our attention tight and pull back for a global sense of where we are. If we deprive that input we become vulnerable to “Nature deficit disorder”

Last child in the Woods by Richard Louv The Biophilia Hypothesis Harvard Dr. E.O. Wilson. Check out “Forest School” education in Canada & USA http://www.forestschools.com/what-are-forest-schools.php Waldkindergarten in Europe. http://www.edutopia.org/early-childhood-outdoor-education-waldkindergarten

Wildlife Sightings - Nov 2, 2011

Today on our hike through McIntyre Creek we heard a very distressed squirrel in a tree, and wondered why our dog was looking at a hole in the ground under the tree, instead of looking up. We at first thought she had dropped her ball into the hole, so went to look, and lo and behold, there was this little white face, boldly looking back at us, showing no fear or concern at all.

We only stayed for a few moments, long enough to get a couple of photos, and then went on our way. The dog had recognized a superior force in the wee ermine, and was not pursuing any further interaction, and I respected the weasels right to be, and left after a couple of photos. Whether this weasel was an interloper in the home of the squirrel, or the hole under the tree belonged to the weasel is still an unknown, but the confidence and bravery of the weasel was not in question.

November 3, 2011 IMPORTANT MEETING

EDI and the City of Whitehorse will be bringing their wildlife study and the results of the consultation out for public review on Thursday, November 3 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the High Country Inn.

It is important that everyone who is interested in protecting the McIntyre Creek wild life corridor show up at the meeting to see what the City is planning to do.

We need the support of all Whitehorse residents, regardless of whether they live in Riverdale, Wolf Creek, or Takhini.

The area that is proposed for the development of Porter Creek D, could be a wonderful park for all residents and tourists to enjoy, as well as allow us to preserve the wild life corridor for the wild life, (moose, deer, bear and other animals) that are currently using this area to pass through the City to the Yukon River.

Media Release October 28, 2011

Groups cry foul over McIntyre Creek Report
The Friends of McIntyre Creek and YCS are shocked at the City of Whitehorse‟s spin on a
McIntyre Creek Wildlife Corridor Assessment.

A City press Release says that the EDI report concludes that Porter Creek D and proposed roads
along and across McIntyre Creek would not negatively impact wildlife, provided mitigation
measures are undertaken.

“That‟s just plain nonsense,” said YCS Executive Director Karen Baltgailis. “Do City Planners
really think that Whitehorse residents are so stupid as to believe that clearing most of the forests
on all the flat land north of McIntyre Creek between the Alaska Highway and Mountainview
Drive, and building roads along and across the creek will not impact wildlife?”

City Planners say that the high level of recreational use of the area is already impacting wildlife.
And City Planners quote the EDI report as saying that the area should not be managed as a
movement corridor for large mammals like bear and moose because of the potential for human wildlife conflicts. The EDI report proposes that a 250 meter natural buffer will solve the human wildlife conflicts and provide sufficient habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.

“It‟s unbelievable,” says Friends of McIntyre Creek President Dorothy Bradley. “It is astonishing
that the EDI report suggests that developing all the flat land north of the creek except a 250
meter buffer will improve the situation. Just imagine all of the people, dogs and wildlife
crammed into 250 meters – now we‟ll really see human-wildlife conflicts!”

“The area is already a travel corridor for large mammals,” says Baltgailis. “Do the planners
really think that bears are going to stop coming into the area? Imagine the conflicts once there
are houses and garbage cans right in their path.”

The groups are critical of several aspects of EDI‟s study. It only looks at the area as a movement
corridor for mammals, rather than as habitat for the wildlife that actually live there. In particular, birds were not studied at all. And the study only took place from spring to early fall of one year.

“The City obviously wanted certain answers and it appears that EDI gave them those answers,”
said Baltgailis. “The City kept the parameters of the study narrow, and now they‟re „spinning‟
the results. Just because no species would go extinct if Porter Creek D is built does not mean that
this is not a special place for wildlife, and for people.”

YCS and the Friends of McIntyre Creek are considering resigning from the Porter Creek D
Working Group.
“We were told when we agreed to be in the group that no decisions had been made and our input
about the values of McIntyre Creek would be duly considered as the City decides whether to
move ahead with development in Middle McIntyre Creek,” said Baltgailis. It was extremely
inappropriate for the City to send out a media release about the EDI report before it is available
to the public, or even to the Porter Creek D Working Group.

And it was even more inappropriate to then „spin‟ this report to say that the wildlife that use McIntyre Creek are not important. The people who use this area every day all year long will tell you that McIntyre Creek is important to wildlife, and to people!”

6 day photo challenge

http://www.flickr.com/photos/archbould/6214391925/

This photo challenge is being run before the election by Archbould Photography.  Check it out, and send in your photos.

Check out the link below for entries to the Photo Challenge.

http://www.facebook.com/ArchbouldPhotography

CBC Interview Oct 4, 2011

Doris Bell interviewed Friends of McIntyre VP Gerry Steers at the McIntyre Creek during a walk with Reg Steers and the family pets.  This video was filmed from the TV screen, and the barking dog is the black rottie, adding her comments to the video.

Trans Canada Trail Bridge over McIntyre Creek

The bridge that was built for skidoos and ATV's to cross the creek was built too wide, and now there are cars using the bridge to cross.  The previous pedestrian bridge was damaged by recreational vehicles driving over it, and now that it has been rebuilt to handle recreational vehicles, I am concerned that cars driving over it will  damage it, making it unuseable.

McIntyre Creek Educational Value - Oct 4, 2011

For the second time in two weeks,  a grade 4/5 class from Jack Hullund School was cycling in the area, scouting out where they would return for their Thursday science class.  With so much educational activity and value in the McIntyre Creek wildlife corridor,  it is really important to preserve the area, and stop the proposed road from Whistle Bend across the creek, and the development of Porter Creek D. 

We need more  than assurances from the City that they will  set aside a mere 100 meter belt where construction would not happen.  We need the Territorial Government, who own the land, to protect it and give it Park status where housing developments would not be allowed.

The Yukon College has not received their endowment lands for their educational purposes, and this should also be finalized before there are any discussions about putting either a road or houses in the area.

The City has clearly demonstrated that environmentally sensitive and protected areas as well as green belt areas are not safe from their land grab when they want to build houses.  City Planner Mike Gau was quoted in the Whitehorse Star stating "times change, and so do needs", which puts any green space in Whitehorse in danger.

The Great Miss-Stake - Press Conference September 29, 2011

The Friends of McIntyre Creek held a press conference today at McIntyre Creek to inform press and the politicians running for election where the proposed Porter Creek D development would be place, and how the proposed road from Whistle Bend would run over the McIntyre Creek and damage the surrounding area.

It was well attended by both press and members of the political parties running in the current territorial election.  A local school group cycling through this area during the Press conference, also stated their love of the area, and desire to see it remain undeveloped.

Sept 28, 2011

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“The Great Miss-Stake”

 Before You Vote Consider What Middle McIntyre Creek Could Look Like.

The Friends of McIntyre Creek have staked part of Middle McIntyre Creek to show where housing and roads could be constructed if City of Whitehorse proposals go ahead. Middle McIntyre Creek is the part of the McIntyre Creek watershed between the Alaska Highway and Mountainview Drive.

The Friends of McIntyre Creek’s intent is to help residents better understand where the  proposed Porter Creek D subdivision and roads connecting Whistle Bend to the Alaska Highway would be. The City of Whitehorse intends to consult about the proposed Porter Creek D subdivision, and roads across and parallel to McIntyre Creek, in the near future.

“In my experience people often don’t pay attention to consultations because they don’t fully understand what is being proposed,” said Friends of McIntyre Creek Vice President Gerry Steers. “We want to give people an idea of what Middle McIntyre Creek could end up looking like unless people who care about this area make this into an issue in the territorial election. The land is owned by Yukon government, it would be sold by Yukon government for housing, and the roads would be developed and paid for by Yukon government. People really need to ask their candidates in the territorial election whether a government led by their party would protect McIntyre Creek.”

The Friends of McIntyre Creek (FOMC) also say that the Yukon College Endowment Lands, which have not been designated and transferred, are a Yukon government issue. FOMC fears that the College Endowment Lands could end up being a nothing but a sliver of land. 

“This is a really important area for education. There are diverse types of habitat, including wetlands and old growth forest here,” said Steers “and it won’t be any good for nature education if it is full of roads and houses – except education about the fact that after a natural area is destroyed it can’t be re-created.”

The Friends of McIntyre Creek are encouraging Whitehorse citizens to have a look at the area that FOMC has staked, and then look at the development in Whistle Bend to get an appreciation for what could occur if Porter Creek D and roads to link Whistle Bend with the Alaska Highway are built – before voting. 

“The City says that the huge clear cuts in Whistle bend were a result of a mistake – well it would be a huge mistake to build any roads and houses in Middle McIntyre Creek at all,” said Steers.

The attached photos are of the construction ongoing in Whistle Bend Phases 1 and 2 (Sept. 23, 2011) and what a new road clearing looks like.

The Friends of McIntyre Creek are working to maintain urban natural habitat and preserve a valued area for future generations of Yukon people. This issue is already being raised at the door with political candidates in the ridings near McIntyre Creek.

The attached map is what the City was last proposing as a development for Porter Creek D in the McIntyre Creek area.
 

Educational Value of McIntyre Creek

When the new school season opened, there were several groups of students found roaming around the McIntyre Creek area.  Some came on bicycles, and others from the Yukon College were able to walk from the College to pursue their studies of biology  and Renewable Resources in the real outdoor world of McIntyre Creek.  It is important for everyone to recognize the value of the area to everyone, and to realize that no development that would encroach on this wild life corridor should be allowed.

This area belongs to all of us for recreation, wildlife, and educational studies, and should be protected.

Photos by Gerry Steers

Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup 2011

 The Takhini North Community Association, the Friends of McIntyre Creek, the Yukon Fish and Game Association and the Klondike Snowmobile Association organized a cleanup of McIntyre Creek as part of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. Volunteers met September 25 to clean up the area around the pump house pond.

Restoration Work September 24, 2011

Photos by Gerry Steers















I have been on a cross Canada trip this past 4 months, and just back in time to witness a restoration project at McIntyre Creek, at the pumphouse near the Yukon College.

A group of biologists and volunteers, with the help of Yukon Fish and Game Association (YFGA) , restored a section of McIntyre Creek next to the Army Pumphouse Pond.

Spruce saplings were harvested from previously distrurbed sites. They were planted on a one-meter grid. Willow live stakes were acquired from donor stock in adjacent areas. Re-bar was first pounded into the ground to make holes. The live stakes were then placed in the holes and tapped until they were well seated. Soil was deposited around each live stake and tamped in. Water was poured around each stake. A pole fence was constructed to the north side of the ford to block vehicle access. The site will be watered in the spring and summer of 2012 and 2013 to enhance potential for success.

The project has a broad range of broad community partners and is being supported through
Environment Canada's Environmental Damages Fund, Yukon College, Environment Yukon, the Yukon Salmon Sub-Committee, and Friends of McIntyre Creek.

A number of young volunteers from the Ukraine were volunteer labour on this project. Having personally witnessed the hard, rocky ground they were digging in, I don't doubt they felt they were in some gulag, and would no doubt have many sore, and aching parts after a day of hard labour.

For more photos go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/friends_of_mcintyre_creek/?saved

Spring activities

check out http://yukonbirdobservatories.blogspot.com for days to view the birdbanding operations in McIntyre Creek. There are a great many interesting birds to see while visiting this site.

Ugly Duckling??

On our Easter Sunday hike through the trails of McIntyre Creek, we spotted this lone swan hanging out with a flock of ducks. It brought back the memory of the children's story, where the swan was considered an "ugly duckling". I thought it was rather strange to see a single swan, and wondered how it had gotten separated from its flock.

Easter Weekend

Spring has sprung, but it wasn't crocuses that were filling the woods, but people. The sunny, warm days had lots of folks out and about to enjoy the McIntyre Creek hikes and play in the creek. People were happy to shed the heavy winter clothing, and enjoy the sun.

Signs of Spring - We need your Help

Today on our hike along McIntyre Creek, we spotted a young eagle dining on some camp fire left overs. I would have expected to see crocus flowers popping up by this time of year, but there is still too much snow this year.

McIntyre Creek needs your support to protect the wildlife corridor. Please keep working, talking with City Council, writing letters to your MLA, letters to the editor, and whatever you can do to get your friends and neighbours onside before Porter Creek D development destroys this jewel. The City appears to be on the fast track to proceed with this development. They had assured us that work would not proceed on Porter Creek D until Whistle Bend was completed, but I am afraid it does not look like this is their current view. The plans are still going forward to have a road crossing the Creek for Whistle Bend, and there is talk of more work with culverts for bringing water services to the Porter Creek D development. We cannot relax our vigil to save this wildlife corridor. We need your help!! You can contact us at friendsofmcintyre@gmail.com.

Spring is on its way & Jane Goodall Comments

Spring is quickly melting the Creek. Only a week ago, this was still frozen, and now it is rushing towards the Yukon River.

I was reading a Readers Digest (November 2010) interview with Jane Goodall, the world famous primatologist, and found these comments relevant to our City's development plans.

"RD: Is our planet better or worse off today than it was when you first began your work in 1960?

Goodall: In most ways, it is worse off. The human population has soared, as has the damage to the ecosystem. We still face the loss of species and the threat from climate change . I think we've lost wisdom. We don't ask how decisions made today will affect generations to come, but instead how they affect the bottom line. Perhaps there has been a separation between the clever brain and the heart - the seat of love and compassion."

I believe this is where our City officials are, in that they only are concerned with the bottom line, and not how their decisions will affect future generations and the ecosystem. It is up to the people like you, members of the Friends of McIntyre Creek who still care about the ecosystem, to make their voices known to the Officials as well as the public, and hopefully we can make them see the light before it is too late, and the wildlife corridor is destroyed with Porter Creek D. The City of Whitehorse advertises itself as a Wilderness City, so we need them to step up and prove it by not destroying the wilderness that is easily accessible from our neighbourhoods within our City.