Fourteen proposals to change regulations affecting fish and wildlife in the territory are literally in the court of Environment Minister Elaine Taylor.

The Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management board responded last week to the minister's initial response to the board recommendations of last Jan. 9.

The minister has another 45 days from April 6 to return the final volley of communication in a confidential evaluation process that has been described as cumbersome and frustrating.

During its annual review of proposed changes last fall, the board considered suggestions ranging from a restriction on ATV use above treeline while hunting sheep on Pilot Mountain, to making big game tags available to younger hunters.

The 14 proposals were submitted by members of the public, Environment Yukon staff, the Yukon Fish and Game Association, the Yukon Outfitters Association and local renewable resource councils.

Under the land claim process set out in the Umbrella Final Agreement, the management board is the central, non-government body responsible for reviewing and recommending policy changes affecting wildlife and habitat in the territory.

Different parties, including the management board and local renewable resources councils, have expressed concern over the process, particularly the period of confidentiality once the board forwards its recommendations to the minister.

Cabinet spokeswoman Emily Younker said Tuesday there is no indication from the minister's office whether her response will be ready before the 45-day deadline in late May.

"She is following the guidelines and the process," she said.

Don Hutton, chair of the wildlife management board, said Tuesday a working group was struck in January to review the review process.

Members of the management board have been asking Taylor to exercise her right to lift the confidentiality requirements, just as they asked the former minister, Premier Denis Fentie, but to no avail so far.

As it is, proposals are submitted in June. The board decides in mid-fall which provide sufficient background to advance for further evaluation and public comment.

Once the public review period concludes in early December, the board finalizes its recommendations and forwards them to the minister.

The recommendations remain confidential, and parties who submitted specific proposals are not able to even learn what the management board has recommended until the end of the process - in this case, late next month - or a year after submitting them.

The minister has 60 days for her initial response to the board's recommendations. The board then has 30 days to respond to her response. Then the minister has another 45 days to make her final response to the board's response to her response.

Hutton said the working group examining the process is looking at all aspects.

"Our interest is not to get in the face of the minister," Hutton said. "She did not negotiate the UFA.

"Our interest is in doing what's best for the fish and wildlife in the Yukon. It's my understanding the minister is willing to look at all this as well."