In a new a twist to an old story, residents of the McLean Lake area say plans to build a gravel pit operation in their area violates a law dating back to 1953.

Speaking as a delegate to members of city council Monday evening, Bob Kuiper, a McLean Lake Residents Association member, said a proposed gravel pit operation by Territorial Contracting Ltd. is actually within the boundaries of a game reserve.

The proposed gravel pit operation sits atop Sleeping Giant Hill near McLean Lake.

Kuiper said members of the association have been sifting through archives records and uncovered an order from the former territorial commissioner, the highest Yukon authority in 1953, which designated the area protected.

'McLean Lake was legally named a game reserve in 1953. Does it (still) legally exist? I think it does,' Kuiper said. A legal opinion obtained by the association supports the association's argument, he added.

Kuiper said Sleeping Giant Hill, as well as two houses, fall within the boundary of the game sanctuary.

Fellow resident Natalie Edelson also spoke to council Monday saying she too supports the theory that the area was a game reserve.

Edelson called on council to respect the designation.

Last week, McLean Lake resident Skeeter Miller-Wright told council residents in his area would like to see a detailed hydrological study done in the area surrounding the Sleeping Giant to determine the nature of the area and what impacts, if any, a gravel pit operation would have on the natural environment.

Wright also said residents believe a gravel pit operation would run contrary to provisions in the city's Official Community Plan.

Responding to questions from council, city manager Dennis Shewfelt said the matter is being investigated and that information has been forwarded to the territorial Department of Energy, Mines and Resources' lands branch.

Branch officials have said that while a game reserve is not on any of their maps, they're looking into the matter.