The legitimacy of a hunting lodge facility built on the Bonnet Plume River is currently being questioned.

'This building was erected this summer without any consultation, permits, environmental reviews or consideration of impacts on other users,' states a letter written to the Yukon government's land branch by Blaine Walden, chair of the Wilderness Tourism Association's lands committee.

A large lodge structure and three cabins were built at Copper Point, about 160 kilometres northeast of Mayo, within the hunting concession of Bonnet Plume Outfitters, during the summer.

'Our information indicates there is no legal tender,' Lyle Henderson, the lands branch manger with the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, said in an interview today.

Though Bonnet Plume Outfitters has been contacted by the government, unless documents are produced to support the legitimacy of the existence of the building, it will soon be treated as an unauthorized occupancy, said Henderson.

If lawful authority to occupy the site cannot be demonstrated, Bonnet Plume would be required to remove the buildings, he said.

Failure to follow up on that would result in a court order for the removal.

'I've only been made aware of the issues,' Chris McKinnon, the owner-operator of the outfitting company, told the Star today.

McKinnon, now based out of his Alberta home, said he had only heard from the government late last week about the potential problem.

He declined to comment on the cost of the structures built next to the airstrip downstream from Fairchild Lake.

McKinnon also was unable to comment on if the construction job rooted from confusion about the October 2005 big game outfitting land policy.

The policy allows for land to be leased to big game businesses that have longstanding sites in existence prior to the devolution of federal powers to the territory.

The policy, however, does not provide for brand new sites, said Henderson.

Bonnet Plume Outfitters is one of the oldest running outfits in the Yukon, said McKinnon.

He added that he and his wife are just a young couple who have been operating the business for a while and aren't trying to step on anyone's toes.

'We're looking forward to working with the government,' he said. 'We're trying to work with everyone.'

Mayo-Tatchun MLA Eric Fairclough said he doesn't understand how this extravagant camp managed to be built without proper consultation.

'They needed to consult with the first nation,' said Fairclough.

The First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun was unable to comment to the Star this morning.

In a letter sent to the lands branch on Sept. 5, however, Mikolay Peter, director of the first nation's land and resources, blasts Bonnet Plume.

'Allowing other third party interests to proceed without fully consulting all stakeholders including those who have an existing interest could result in needlessly creating a future compensatory type situation for (Bonnet Plume Outfitters),' stated the letter.

The first nation also points to the facility's implications on the Bonnet Plume Canadian Heritage River Management Plan, sun glares reflecting off the tin roof, thus depreciating the aesthetic value of the site, and controversy connected to key wildlife habitats.

If the government permits continued illegal activities to occur, it could have implications on concluding the Peel River Planning Commission, the letter from Nacho Nyak Dun further states.

'We have to remember that draft plans are subject to ratification by affected first nations and could be jeopardized if such behaviour is allowed to continue.'

There are a lot of people worried about the current state of the big game outfitters policy, said Fairclough, and the type of access and ability outfitters are seen to have to build where ever they want.

'I don't know where they got their direction from,' he said. 'The outfitters are in the wrong.'

The situation just shows the need for a review of the policy, said acting NDP Leader Steve Cardiff.

But it also illustrates the need for the territory to develop an effective land use policy, said Cardiff.

All traditional uses of land should be respected, he added.

'There needs to be checks and balances in place. They're moving in on what is essentially another user on that property.'

A Vancouver-based mining company, Fronteer Group, had a camp at the location prior to the construction of the lodge.

Approximately $6 million worth of core samples were destroyed by the construction, said Rick Valenta, chief operating officer with Fronteer.

'It's a store of information that can't be replaced,' said Valenta.

The samples were used to create a walkway between the cabins. The boxes they were previously contained in appear to have been transformed into outhouses.

'This type of irresponsible behaviour should not be tolerated or condoned by the Yukon government,' stated the letter for Nacho Nyak Dun. It is destruction of private property and someone must be held accountable, it added.

Fairclough agreed, stating the government must pursue this matter as it would any situation without proper tender.

Valenta said Fronteer is currently reviewing its options and has been aware of Bonnet Plume's actions since last May. There has been no formal communication between the mining company and the outfitter, he said.

'We're aware of the outfitter's activities,' said Valenta. 'We're awaiting, and will review, the government's actions on this issue.'

The lands branch is currently awaiting to receive documentation from Bonnet Plume, said Henderson. Should that not be received soon, the government will have to move forward with legal action, he said.