The Yukon Environmental Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) is recommending the territorial government's project to build a wharf in Whitehorse go ahead, provided it meets certain conditions.

"The assessor determined that the project will have significant adverse effects on fish and fish habitat, environmental quality, wildlife and wildlife habitat, settlement land and safety," reads the 31-page report released Tuesday.

"Mitigations recommended by the assessor are considered adequate to eliminate, reduce or control the significant adverse effects of the project."

A total of 44 ways to mitigate the impacts of the government's planned wharf on the local waterfront have been outlined in the YESAB's report on the proposal.

The project would see the Yukon government develop the 744.1-square-metre wharf on the waterfront between Main and Steele streets.

In front of the wharf would be a 630.67-metre-long floating dock. A ramp to a new trail and the trolley line would extend from near the flagpole closer to the side of the wharf at Main Street.

Next to the ramp, closer to Steele Street, would be an amphitheatre that would sit between the wharf and trail.

There would also be a viewing dock from the new trail between the trolley line and First Avenue and other areas.

The YESAB document notes construction is proposed for next summer with any work in the water being planned for between next April and June.

While there are 44 mitigation measures listed in the document, the report boiled those down to 11 recommendations, including:

• The completion of site preparation, including activities such as clearing vegetation, during the month of April. If that's not possible, a "suitable timing window" would be identified in consultation with the federal

Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).

"The above mentioned mitigation was suggested by DFO and is intended to protect 0+ salmon," reads the report of the first condition. "DFO acknowledged that work completed in April still has the potential to impact salmon; however, the risk is considerably lower."It continues with the conditions including:

• Carrying out activities that provide compensation - in the form of habitat creation/restoration/enhancement - for the loss of fish habitat in the Yukon River, that are deemed appropriate by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans;

• The compensation plan shall have a "like-for-like" objective, that similar habitat features being removed, be replaced where it's possible;

• Ensuring a completed hydrology report is submitted to the DFO during the regulatory process and before physical work begins;

• Incorporating the findings of the hydrology report and using them to finish the project's design that would minimize alterations to habitat, disturbances to fish and the dynamics of the river's flow;

• The compensation plan occurring in the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and Ta'an Kwachan Council where possible;

• Ensuring adequate waste bins are in place;

• Completing a hydrology report and incorporating those findings into the final design;

• If the hydrology report indicates there could be significant effects on two Kwanlin Dun settlement lands, working with the first nation to make sure its concerns are addressed in the final design of the wharf;

• Properly securing the work site to restrict public access; and

• Providing notice in the area to warn all users of the scheduled work.

"The above mitigation is intended to maintain the quality of fish habitat that TKC and KDFN have in their traditional territory; recognizing fish are highly values to these groups," the report reads of the final conditions.

The document was released after the comment period in the assessment was extended twice.

That was first done to allow time to review an extra component added to the project with a canoe launch area; and secondly, permit time for the territory to respond to an information request and potential users to review that response.

Among those bringing forward comments were the Yukon government's heritage resources and environmental programs branches, the Ta'an Kwachan, DFO and Transport Canada.

Overall, the comments identified valued components that would be potentially affected; identified potential project effects; provided information on permits and authorizations required; and identified mitigation

measures to offset the effects.

"A majority of comments received expressed concern regarding the potential effects to fish and fish habitat," reads the report.

"After the Department of Fisheries and Oceans reviewed the project proposal, they determined activities would likely result in the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat (HADD).

"As a result, DFO will be a decision body on this project, requiring a HADD authorization if the proposed project proceeds as proposed."

While the report outlines the issues for the environment and fish habitat, it also cites the benefits of the project for both local residents and tourists.

"Furthermore, the proponent has stated the project has been designated to be consistent with the community values and will align with the City of Whitehorse's Official Community Plan," it reads.

Last March, city and territorial officials met to discuss the wharf. At that time, city officials said they wouldn't rule out the possibility of an operating agreement with the territory for the wharf.

While Mayor Bev Buckway said cost is a concern for the city, she also said it's worthy of further discussion.

It was too early at that point to say how much it could cost to operate the wharf, though the city currently budgets about $5,000 for its floating docks at Chadburn and Schwatka Lakes each year to put them in and

take them out. That equates to about three staff members working half a day at the beginning and end of the season through the summer.

Parks and recreation project manager Doug Hnatiuk also cited the possibility of increased vandalism that could come with the new wharf, located in a more open area than the two docks that already experience

vandalism.

At the same time, it was also suggested at that meeting there could be business opportunities with the development, such as wildlife viewing trips on the river.

Buckway said this morning she hasn't been involved with any further discussions about the wharf since that meeting, though it's possible there may have been meetings on it between city and territorial staff.