A new policy governing Schwatka Lake docks could be in place as early as this evening.

That’s when council will vote on whether to adopt the proposed policy that would replace the Schwatka Lake Waterfront Policy that was last updated in 1999 after first being adopted in 1995.

As city planner Erica Beasley explained to council on March 21, the new policy is better aligned with the Schwatka Lake area plan that was adopted last year and included an extensive input process.

“The proposed dock policy reflects public input received during the planning process, input from the working group and best practices for shoreline management,” Beasley told council in her report.

Among the changes that would come under the plan is a provision for new dock sites.

As Beasley explained, new docks haven’t been allowed under the waterfront policy as the lake served as the city’s main source of drinking water at the time. (The city has since moved to a well system, with the lake available as a backup source only.)

While Beasley noted environmental protection remains a high priority, there is now the possibility to permit a limited number of new dock sites.

“The area plan identifies locations for a potential of up to 14 new sites to be opened, which would be phased in over time,” Beasley stated.

“Two sites could be potentially be opened this spring. Several others are contingent on developing a small new parking area for which the city is exploring funding opportunities.”

A plan done in 2004 found the risk of water contamination from float plane activity in the area to be low and a “controlled increase” in the number of sites is not anticipated to have a significant impact on water quality, it was noted.

“The annual permit framework for docks allows the city to issue and cancel sites, depending on changing lake-use circumstances,” the report to council read.

Also included in the proposed policy is a set of dock standards.

“The new dock standards are included in the dock policy, and will apply to the construction of new docks and the maintenance, renovation and replacement of existing docks,” Beasley stated.

“The standards are designed to be enforceable, yet flexible enough to allow for deviations where warranted by operational needs.”

Finally, another major change to float plane operators fuelling up at any of the lake docks would be a requirement to have a fuel spill kit on-site.

“The duty to mitigate and report spills is further specified in the Yukon Environment Act,” Beasley stated.

Council will vote on the proposed policy tonight.

Coun. Rob Fendrick was absent from the March 21 meeting.