Opposition continues to mount against the government's Forest Resources Act as more than 20 members and supporters of the Yukon Conservation Society (YSC) staged a small protest outside the legislative assembly Wednesday.

"It opens the door to large-scale multinationals to basically scoop up all the trees while not considering the environment and aboriginal rights," charged Karen Baltgailis, director of the YSC, during an impromptu press conference outside the assembly's chambers.

With the backdrop of a placard reading "We want a forestry act, not a timber act," held aloft by two supporters, Baltgailis listed the YSC's demands.

They include inserting provisions to enable local loggers, mill operators and value-added industries and ultimately, that the legislation be delayed until a "full public consultation" was conducted.

On Monday, the YCS alerted local media of their protest plans. While the society's throng watched from the assembly's gallery, opposition parties continued the co-ordinated attack on Premier Dennis Fentie's government.

In the leadup to question period, the New Democrats and Liberals delivered a combined 25 motions "urging the government" to amend, delay, consult on and otherwise revise the act before passing it into law.

While opposition parties want the act delayed until the spring, it is expected to pass during this fall sitting of the legislative assembly.

As to issues of timber harvest levels, conservation measures and value-added industries in the Yukon, Fentie has said these would be dealt with in the act's regulations.

No matter, Liberal resources critic Gary McRobb began the question period battle by suggesting Fentie's failure to heed the warnings could lead to a larger conflict.

"This war of words will end up as a war in the woods," predicted McRobb.

Last month, Liard First Nation (LFN) Chief Liard McMillan has called the then-proposed Forest Resources Act discriminatory.

"The government has designed an act in the interest of other Yukoners and those first nations without land claim agreements, and the Liard First Nation has been left out of the act," McMillan told the Star.

The LFN is one of two Kaska first nations without a land claim agreement and occupies territory abundant with much of the Yukon's mill-ready timber.

On Nov. 6, the LFN delivered its position paper on the forestry act reiterating McMillan's stance.

While Fentie has welcomed the LFN's input, he insists his government is safeguarding the public's interest by pushing through the legislation.

"As far as the position paper from Liard First Nation, I commend the chief in doing his job in representing his citizens," Fentie said in response to McRobb's question on whether the government upheld its obligation to consult the LFN.

"However, the fact is that this legislation is within the jurisdiction of the Yukon government. We, on balance, in meeting our obligations with first nations, must also meet the public interest, and that's exactly what this act is doing."

Until the April 1, 2003 devolution of federal authority over land and resources to the Yukon government, forest management in the territory was a federal responsibility.

While the government proceeds with implementing the territory's first forestry act, a potential titanic legal engagement looms between the Kaska first nations and the federal government.

The discord surrounds the validity of the Umbrella Final Agreement (UFA), a blueprint for 11 Yukon land claims, but which the Kaska have rejected.

And the growing fear among the opposition is that the Forestry Resources Act could set the stage for future legal entanglements.

Following Wednesday's question period, where the usually unflappable Fentie appeared flustered, the premier maintained that LFN's interests will be protected by the new act.

"Liard First Nation traditional territory is registered with the federal government under the UFA and is being protected as we speak ...all selected land is in place and protected," Fentie insisted.

Common law obligates the government to consult with first nations regardless of their land claim status, he added.

Despite Fentie's assurances the LFN's land is protected, the first nation does not recognize the UFA and it, along with Ross River Dena Council, lays claim to the entire Kaska Dena territory, comprising 23 per cent of Yukon's land mass.