The head of Active Trails Yukon is calling on the city to scrap proposed policy wording that would legitimize what’s now illegal trail building.

Keith Lay appeared before council Monday night, asking that council not move forward with the plans.

“On Oct. 17, city administration is scheduled to reintroduce its proposed changes to the recently updated Trail Maintenance Policy, change that will tell rogue trail builders that constructing a trail without going through the required application procedure will quite probably lead to the trail being approved by the city,” Lay said.

“In fact, if rogue trail builders come forward and admit their sins, administration will actually “(consult) and (co-operate)” with the rogue builder in order to turn the illegal trail into an official city trail.

“If city council approves these proposed changes, it will be falling into the trap set by rogue trail builders.”

Lay then went on to argue that rogue builders begin construction and get as much done as possible before the trail is discovered and reported to the city, knowing it can take some time before authorities can deal with it.

“This is often the case for many jurisdictions that have extensive trail systems to maintain,” he said. “Rogue trail builders count on these facts.”

Lay then stated most of those trail builders expect that eventually someone will suggest finishing the trail and go to a local club that uses trails to ask that the group go through the proper procedures to finish or seek the group’s support to go through the proper application process.

“When faced with an application supported by the club or trail steward, which often offers its help in completing and/or improving the trail, the authority (in this case the city) involved sees ‘a way out’ and approves the application,” Lay continued.

If the city moves ahead with changes to the policy, it would essentially allow trail builders to make their own routes without going through the application process.

The change in wording would see additions to Section 26 of the policy to state that both rogue trail and city trails may be temporarily closed or deactivated where there are safety or environmental issues until the issue is resolved through clean up, maintenance, rerouting “or approval”.

Outlined are steps to take when considering deactivation or closure.

Consultation and co-operation with “rogue trail builders” or local trail stewards is listed, along with posting notices, fencing or barricades as required, and monitoring of the area.

“It is a ‘win-win’ situation for rogue trail builders, and only encourages the ‘build first’ route that has proved so successful for such builders in other jurisdictions,” Lay said.

“Unfortunately, although a ‘win-win’ situation for rogue builders, it is not for the environment, other user groups, or the community or land authority that has to bear the cost of such illegal activities.”

He then issued the call for council to reject the changes expected to come forward in two weeks.

“We urge council to reject the legalization of rogue trails and to send a message to anyone contemplating such construction that our city rogue trail construction is not to be tolerated or rewarded, and that all such trails will be closed permanently with no possibility of future approval.”

Council will discuss the matter when staff bring forward a report and recommendation on it.