In 2011 the planning process was initiated for the Dawson Region under a previous Commission. The Commission operated until 2014, when legal proceedings regarding the Peel Watershed began. As a result, the process was suspended by the Parties in order to wait for those legal proceedings to conclude.

In 2018, Yukon and Tr’ondek Hwech’in Governments resumed the process, and in early 2019, a new Commission was announced. The valuable work completed by the previous Commission remains an important resource for the current planning process.

The Dawson planning region covers about 40,000 km² in the northwestern part of the Yukon, and the boundaries of the region have been modified since 2011. The 2018 planning region area excludes roughly 5,000 km² in the upper Miner and Whitestone watersheds, which will be planned for in a separate process. This removed area is often referred to as the "North Yukon Annex". As a result of this modification, the Vuntut Gwitchin Government is no longer a Party to the Plan, but will remain an observer of the process as per their overlap agreement with Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in.

The Dawson Regional Planning Commission was re-established under Chapter 11 of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Final Agreement. It is an independent body with six Yukon community members, based on nominations received from the Parties (i.e., Government of Yukon and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government). Appointments are made by the Yukon Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources based on nominations received from each of the Parties. Parties nominate people who they think have the skills, knowledge and experience to assist in developing a successful land use plan.

Chapter 11 of the Umbrella Final Agreement (1993) envisioned a common land use planning process that would promote integrated management of land and resources. The objectives of Chapter 11, in part, are “to minimize... land use conflicts; to utilize the knowledge and experience of Yukon First Nations; and to ensure that social, cultural, economic and environmental policies are applied to the management, protection and use of land, water and resources in an integrated and coordinated manner so as to ensure Sustainable Development.”

The Yukon was divided into planning regions, based mostly on First Nations Traditional Territories and watersheds. The governments of the Dawson Region agreed to establish a Regional Land Use Planning Commission.

A land use plan represents a vision for the future use and development of land in the region, and provides direction to governments on how to manage land and resources. The plan is not enacted through legislation, does not replace existing legislation, and does not affect First Nation rights established under land claim agreements and constitutional law. A land use plan tries to balance ecological, cultural and economic values of the region.

The Commission’s job is to develop and present a Recommended Land Use Plan, and if needed, a Final Recommended Plan for this area to the Parties, after which the Commission may dissolve.

The Parties make the final decision on whether the plan is approved, modified, or rejected and the Parties are responsible for implementing the approved plan – Yukon government for public lands and First Nations for settlement lands.

The Commission cannot make recommendations about land that is within the City of Dawson municipal boundaries, land that is already managed under a Local Area Plan (e.g., West Dawson/Sunnydale), or existing protected areas (e.g., Tombstone Territorial Park). However, the Commission does consider these lands and any existing management plans when giving direction for the rest of the region.

The Commission is supported by two permanent staff members, a Senior Land Use Planner operating out the Whitehorse office of the Yukon Land Use Planning Council, as well as a Land Use Planner located in Dawson City.

The Commission is assisted in the planning process by the Yukon Land Use Planning Council as well as staff from the Parties. Technical staff from Yukon Government and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government  work closely with Commission staff through the Technical Working Group (TWG). TWG helps to gather information on regional resources, reviews Commission products, and provides advice on government issues and policies that should be considered when developing plan options. The Parties are also represented by the Senior Liaison Committee (SLC), who provide the Commission with high-level policy advice and are the link between the Commission and the Ministers/Chiefs.

The Yukon Land Use Planning Council (YLUPC) was also created under Chapter 11 of the Umbrella Final Agreement, and is a three-person board with members nominated by Government of Yukon, Government of Canada and the Council of Yukon First Nations. YLUPC staff support the Commission by administering funding agreements, providing planning expertise and technical support, participating on the TWG, and helping Parties coordinate their efforts. For more information on YLUPC, visit their website www.planyukon.ca.

Money for the Commission to do its work comes from funds agreed to under the Umbrella Final Agreement. The funding is provided by the Government of Canada and administered by Government of Yukon. Government of Yukon reviews and approves annual Commission workplans and budgets.