The public has been given more time to comment on a proposal by the Kwanlin Dün First Nation to develop land for a card-lock gas station across the highway from the airport lands.

Communication officer Rob Yeomans of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) explained the assessment officer granted more time because of interest in the project.

There were two submissions to the assessment board raising concerns with the proposal as of this morning.

But Yeomans explained Thursday that staff with the board and staff with the Yukon government’s development assessment branch have been receiving calls asking for more time.

The original deadline to comment was Oct. 20. It has been extended to Nov. 14.

Kwanlin Dün and its development corporation are planning to clear 3.2 hectares of the First Nation’s 21.55-hectare block of category B settlement land to provide for the card-lock service.

The fuel facility proposal also includes the provision for a 6,300-square-foot operation headquarters provided by a tent-type structure sitting on a concrete floor.

The block of settlement land runs along the Alaska Highway, on the opposite side of Hillcrest Drive from the SKKY Hotel.

Client preference

The location for the proposed gas station at the south east corner of the claim block was selected because of the preference indicated by the lease client, says the proposal.

The proposal indicates the card-lock is likely to be the first of more commercial development on the settlement land.

CEO Chris Milner of Chu Níí Kwän, the First Nation’s development corporation, said that parcel of land was chosen by Kwanlin Dün in the land claims process for its potential to provide for commercial and residential projects.

Chieftain Energy, with Air North as its majority share holder, will be using a portion of the 3.2 hectares to be cleared with the remaining portion available for other commercial interests, he said.

The western boundary of the claim block abuts up against the Paddy’s Pond/Ice Lake Park.

Among the concerns expressed by the two Hillcrest residents is the impact on local trails, the forested area and wildlife.

A concern about more highway traffic exiting and entering the Alaska Highway along a stretch that is already heavily congested with entrances and exits was also raised as a concern.

Vice-president Frederik Robert of the Hillcrest Community Association said Thursday the association has not formulated a position on the proposal.

The association is currently gathering information to inform a discussion in the near future, he explained.

Ben Ryan of Chieftain Energy said the intent is to establish a straightforward card lock service with storage tanks for gasoline and diesel on the site.

The proposal for a large tent structure that could be used to shelter highway and in-town trucks is more of a concept at this point, he said.

Card-lock infrastructure

The investment in the card-lock infrastructure – storage tanks, three pumps – is around $200,000, depending on whether the company goes with a new or used card-lock service, he explained.

Ryan said the company has a card-lock facility on Tlingit Street in the Marwell industrial area but it wanted a site closer to the headquarters of Air North, its parent company.

Chieftain, he pointed out, purchased five highway fuel trucks and five in-town trucks this past summer with the goal of expanding in business in the home-heating market.

Milner said while Chu Níí Kwän initially targeted this fall for clearing the land, the schedule was revised to next spring in consideration of the permitting process.

The First Nation’s self-government agreement provides for this type of development, he explained.

“But you still have to go through the proper processes of development with permitting and YESAB, and that is what we are going through now,” he said.

Milner explained the development corporation is taking a cautious approach to the overall development of the settlement parcel, starting with a small section and seeing how it goes from there.

Communications officer Heather McKay of the Department of Highways and Public Works said Thursday any future plans to expand the Alaska Highway corridor through that stretch would not affect the development proposal.

Initial plans by the government to expand the highway to four lanes through that stretch have been cancelled but even if there were four lanes, the development would not be affected, she said.