Board Mandate

YESAB administers an assessment process set out in the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA) and assess the effects of projects and other activities in the Yukon, or that might have effects in the Yukon.

The Board’s mandate and responsibilities, as set out in Section 5 of YESAA, are to:

• Provide a comprehensive, neutrally conducted assessment process applicable in Yukon.
• Require that, before projects are undertaken, their environmental and socio-economic effects are considered.
• Protect and maintain environmental quality and heritage resources.
• Protect and promote the well-being of Yukon Indian persons, their societies and Yukon residents generally, as well as the interests of other Canadians.
• Ensure that projects are undertaken in accordance with principles that foster beneficial socio-economic change without undermining the ecological and social systems on which communities, their residents, and societies in general, depend.
• Recognize and, to the extent practicable, enhance the traditional economy of Yukon Indian persons and their special relationship with the wilderness environment.
• Guarantee opportunities for the participation of Yukon Indian persons and make use of their knowledge and experience in the assessment process.
• Provide opportunities for public participation in the assessment process.
• Ensure that the assessment process is conducted in a timely, efficient and effective manner that avoids duplication.
• Provide certainty to the extent practicable with respect to assessment procedures, including information requirements, time limits and costs to participants.

The Act also sets out a number of Board responsibilities related to the sharing of information.

The Board must provide public access to records, including:

• Rules & bylaws
• District boundaries
• Reports of studies and research
• Standard mitigative measures
• Results of project audits & effects monitoring

The Board must establish and maintain a Public Registry containing:

• All documents related to assessments
• List of projects, activities and plans
• Project location and stage of assessment
• Lists of any authorizations, grants of interest in land & financial assistance