YLUPC
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Region:
LMU #:

Designation:
Area:
Image Plateau with forests, lakes and wetlands are characteristic of LMU 5. (CWS photo)
Land Status Non-Settlement Land
Objectives
  • Ecological integrity is maintained.
  • Some culturally and ecologically-aware resource exploration and extraction that supports the local economies.
  • All permitted land use activity does not significantly impact movement and habitats of caribou.
  • Meaningful consultation is done with the TG and NND regarding any new significant land-use activities that might cause surface disturbance.
Rationale for Designation
  • Moderate oil and gas development potential.
  • Reasonably close to the Dempster Highway.
  • No big-game outfitting activities and no tourism/recreation activities.
  • Little use by caribou in recent years.
  • Development will likely occur on relatively flat terrain, making the recommended cumulative effects monitoring more effective in limiting impacts on habitat in those area, thus meriting a Zone IV designation.
Biophysical Setting
Setting Sparsely treed plateau and plain with deeply incised rivers.
Ecoregions Peel River Plateau
Bioclimate Zones Taiga Wooded and Taiga Shrub
Ecological Resources
Significant Wildlife and Fish Habitats
Caribou Variable habitat suitability for the Porcupine herd. Evidence of more frequent and intense use in the past.
Moose Variable quality late winter moose habitat – generally moderate, with ribbons of high. High habitat use along incised tributaries.
Marten Extensive and concentrated moderate to high winter habitat suitability.
Sheep No sheep habitat.
Fish Fish presence likely throughout; Trail River upstream of key sea-run fish spawning site; other known fish spawning sites; and known winter overflow site.
Grizzly Bear Low habitat suitability increasing to moderate towards the Richardson foothills and riparian areas.
Peregrine Falcon Very high peregrine foraging and nesting habitat adjacent to the Trail and Road rivers.
Birds (General) Scattered high quality waterbird habitat; varied breeding spp. richness and species of conservation concern.
Vegetation Low endemism/rarity. Low-mid elev. dry/wet shrub and conifer forest; riparian forests and shrubs.
Wetlands, Lakes and Riparian Areas Several large lakes and wetland complexes and hundreds of scattered wetlands. Riparian along Road and Trail Rivers.
Permafrost Extensive high water content permafrost expected. Wetlands “perched” above incised valleys and stable slopes rely on intact permafrost.
Special Features Wildlife passes. Perched wetlands.
Heritage, Social and Cultural Resources
Heritage Resources Highest concentration of connecting travel routes between the Peel River (upper and lower) and Richardson Mountains; concentration of VG and TG archeological sites on the foothills on the Richardson Mountains; several TG and VG culturally important places.
Palaeontological Resources Sedimentary rocks in this area have high potential to yield fossil discoveries.
Economic Development
Transportation and Access Highest concentration of old winter roads and linear features (e.g., seismic lines); a conceptual access route has been identified in this unit connecting Road River to the Bonnet Plume River watershed; one airstrip. Somewhat close to the Dempster Highway.
Traditional Economy TG traditional harvesting and wildlife areas and seasonal land use; TG fish harvest on Trail River.
Recreation and Tourism No identified current recreation values, though high potential along Road River and Caribou headwaters.
Forestry Little potential for forestry.
Big Game Outfitters and Trapping No registered concessions.
Oil and Gas Resources Peel Plateau and Plain basin; low (southwest) to moderate (northeast) potential on either side of the Trevor fault; seven abandoned wells. Oil and gas permit (#0018).
Mineral Resources Approximately 160 quartz claims; generally low mineral potential. Three iron-mica leases.
Special Management Considerations
  1. Surface disturbances on escarpments risk triggering a “retrogressive thaw” that would result in stream sedimentation and possibly the draining of adjacent wetlands. Such a slump would be difficult to remediate.
  2. If required, any new surface access to this LMU, either winter or all-season, should occur from the north, through the NWT, linking to the Dempster Highway.

Indicator gauges

Surface disturbance (km²)
Linear disturbance (km)

Cumulative effects