What is YESAB?

The Yukon Territory has a unique environmental assessment process conducted by the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB).

It replaces federal environmental assessments and is far more expansive, transparent, and publicly accessible than provincial assessment processes.

YESAB receives proposals for new projects and assesses their potential negative impacts across environmental, cultural, social, and economic dimensions.

A full explanation of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board can be found on YCS's interactive story map at
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3b2f70ff67564414994f1bb60df5e363

About YESAB

YESAB was established by the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA), a provision of Chapter 12 of the Umbrella Final Agreement, as an independent, non-governmental body.

YESAB is a body of 7 members, 3 of whom, including the Chair, make up its Executive. Members are appointed by Canada, the Yukon, and the Council of Yukon First Nations.

The YESAB Online Registry (YOR) allows stakeholders, including governments, organizations, and individuals, to see proposals and submit comments based on their knowledge and concerns about the particular site or project.

YESAB uses these comments, as well as their own informed research, to make recommendations about whether the project should be approved to the applicable Decision Body(ies). The particular Decision Body is dependent on the type of project, but can include federal, territorial, and First Nations governments or agencies.

YESAB examines the negative impacts of projects and recommends actions to decision-makers. YESAB has no final say in the decision made.

The Assessment Process

YESAB's assessment process considers how a proposed project could affect the area's natural and socio-economic conditions. In many cases, it relies on public comments to determine what is important to consider. Once YESAB gathers comprehensive information and completes the assessment process, it issues a recommendation to the relevant Decision Body.

YESAB operates independently from any government entity and does not make final decisions regarding proposed projects; this is the role of the Decision Body, usually the territorial government, but in some cases, the federal government or First Nation government(s) has authority.

Levels of Assessment

YESAB has three levels of assessment that are applied depending on the size, complexity and potential impact of each project:

Designated Office (DO) Evaluation:
The majority of assessments (over 99%) are conducted independently by the office in the district where the project is taking place.

Executive Committee (EC) Screening:
A committee made up of the Chair of YESAB and two YESAB executive committee members assesses larger, more complex projects, or projects the DO cannot fully assess. EC screenings include two stages of public comments.

Panel of the Board Review:
The highest level of assessment, triggered by the potential for significant adverse impacts, the use of controversial technology, and major public concern about large projects. So far, only one project has reached this level: the proposed Casino Mine.

Factors Considered in Assessment

There are five technical factors that YESAB uses to assess the impacts of a project, called the Effects Characterization Criteria (ECC):

Magnitude:
The extent of change from baseline conditions. Can include metrics like hectares of habitat loss or impacts to heritage sites;

Likelihood:
The probability that adverse effects will occur;

Geographic Extent:
The land area where effects of a project are noticeable, often larger than the project itself;

Duration, Frequency, and Timing:
When an effect will occur, and for how long and how often;

Reversibility:
Whether an adverse effect is permanent or can return to baseline conditions.

YESAB also considers physical, cultural, and economic values, called Valued Environmental and Socio-Economic Components (VESECs), that could be negatively impacted by a proposed project. YESAB determines how VESECs may be affected and how to conserve them.

Importance of Public Comments

Anyone, regardless of age or educational background, can submit comments on a project proposal. Public comments are a crucial part of the YESAB assessment process, and all of them are considered when making a recommendation.

Each proposed project could have many different impacts on VESECs. Some potential components to consider when commenting include:

Personal Connection:
Why is this area important to you? How 23wwill the project affect how you or others use this area?

Socio-economic Issues:
How does the proposal show respect for the rights and agreements of Indigenous communities?
What steps are being taken to protect Indigenous women and girls in relation to this project?

Cultural Issues:
What steps are being taken to respect, protect and preserve First Nation Heritage Sites in the area? How could the project disrupt harvesting, hunting, fishing and drinking water retrieval?

Environmental Issues:
How will the proposed project impact local wildlife and their habitats? How will the project affect water quality in nearby rivers and streams? How does the project plan to mitigate its carbon footprint?

YESAB Explained

A full explanation of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board, its history, and its process can be found on YCS's interactive story map at
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3b2f70ff67564414994f1bb60df5e363

We invite you to review the sources below to learn more about YESAB and how you can help mitigate environmental impacts in the Yukon.