The Yukon Party wants to know what the territorial government is planning to do to help float plane operators on Schwatka Lake.

Yukon Energy plans to lower the lake levels in advance of potential Southern Lakes/Lake Laberge flooding.

“While we are glad to see Yukon Energy taking action to mitigate flood potential, lowering Schwatka by 95 centimetres in April will have a real impact on float plane operators who use the lake,” Yukon Party MLA Geraldine Van Bibber said Wednesday in the legislature.

“These float plane operators are important to the ongoing operation of both the tourism and mining industries, and need support to help recover from the economic challenges of the pandemic.

“One solution the float plane operators have proposed is dredging areas in the lake to improve the access for float planes. Will the Government of Yukon work with the affected businesses to find a solution to address their concerns and allow them to continue to operate?”

Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker responded, “Actually, this past week, Yukon Energy had written a letter to the float plane operator folks and explained that they were going to continue to do this work to lower Schwatka. They haven’t done it yet this year.

“They discovered that last year when they did, it actually changed the peak of the flood by dropping it by 45 centimetres, which is huge,” Streicker said.

“That’s within the terms of the water licence, he noted.

“Last year, I met with the float plane operators, and Yukon Energy did as well. This year, I have started conversation,” the minister added.

He met with the president of Alkan Air last week.

“I have reached out to the mayor of Whitehorse to begin that conversation, and I have conversations with colleagues going on about ways in which we can try to be supportive,” Streicker said.

“I think that it’s important to note that the City of Whitehorse manages the float plane base. It’s not the Yukon government, but we will work in support to try to assist with this work.”