The Yukon government plans to shift its land planning branch to its energy, mines and resources (EMR) department to “improve the disposition of land” to territory residents.
That branch, now part of the community services department, will move to EMR effective April 1, 2009, the government said in a release Monday.
EMR’s sustainable resources division manages and supports the sustainable development of Yukon’s land, forest and agriculture resources. Within the division, the lands branch administers sales of residential, commercial and industrial lots on Yukon land, land use permitting and quarry permits.
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“The land planning branch will remain an integral part of Yukon government’s land management,” EMR Minister Brad Cathers said in the government’s release.
“This change will make it easier for staff to work collaboratively and enhance the ability of the Yukon government to deliver effective and timely lands services to Yukoners.”
A number of jobs and responsibilities will move from the land planning branch over to EMR’s sustainable resources division, but all positions within the land planning branch will be maintained, the government said.
“This move will centralize the management of Yukon lands and will provide Yukoners with one convenient location to undertake all their lands-related business,” Community Services Minister Archie Lang said.
The land planning branch assists rural communities (that is, located outside of municipalities) with community plans, zoning and subdivision services. The branch also provides Yukon-wide community mapping programs, legal survey databases and a photography library of most Yukon communities.
