The Kwanlin Dun First Nation is advancing plans to get into the local gravel business with a new pit at the McLean Lake quarry area.

In its application to the Yukon Environmental Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB), the First Nation indicates its intention is to remove top soil from two adjoining industrial lots and begin selling gravel during this year's construction season.

Interested parties and members of the public have until April 4 to submit comments on the proposal to the Whitehorse office of the environmental assessment board.

Kwanlin Dun secured rights to the two gravel leases from the Yukon government as part of its aboriginal land claim settlement.

Tom Beaudoin, a senior official with the First Nation, said this morning it negotiated the rights to the leases as part of its package to provide future economic development opportunities.

What form the business proposal will take is still under discussion, said the director of lands, resources, and implementation of the final land claim agreement.

Beaudoin said there are a number of options available, including partnering with an established gravel company in town.

Kwanlin Dun and its business partner, Dominion Construction, have their own need for gravel right now with the developments taking place on the Whitehorse waterfront, he pointed out, including the First Nation's cultural centre/new Whitehorse Public Library.

Generally speaking, Beaudoin said, there is a growing demand for gravel in the city.

He said Kwanlin Dun wanted to move forward with the proposal sooner but held off while the city went through its five-year review of the Official Community Plan (OCP).

The review was completed last October, and the revised OCP was adopted. The area west of McLean Lake retained its designation as a gravel quarry.

The two lots the First Nation obtained from the Yukon government are currently zoned industrial quarry.

They are surrounded by three existing gravel pits operated by three Whitehorse companies.

Beaudoin said the end goal is to maximize economic development opportunities for the First Nation and its membership.

There are plans, for instance, to have a portable rock crusher on site this year to provide a value-added product and not just pit-run gravel, he pointed out.

Pat Ross, the city's supervisor of land development, said since the lots are already zoned industrial quarry, any application for a development permit would not have to be reviewed and approved by city council.

Before Kwanlin Dun applies for a permit, however, it still needs prior approval through a quarry lease with the Yukon government, he pointed out.

Under the process, recommendations from YESAB regarding the application will be sent to the government for consideration.