NORTH YUKON PLANNING REGION:
LMU 1: Van Tat K’atr’anahtii (Old Crow Flats) Special Management Area
Sub-unit #1B: Old Crow Flats Core Wetlands
Land Use Designation
Protected Area
Land Status
VGFN Settlement land (VG R-01A, R-10A, S-25A) and Yukon public land
Traditional Territories
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
Area
4,505km2 (7.4% of Region)
Biophysical Setting (LMU 1)
Setting
Extensive wetland complex with surrounding basin and low mountains.
Ecoregions
Old Crow Flats, Old Crow Basin, British Richardson Mountains and Davidson Mountains.
Bioclimatic Zones
Taiga Wooded, Taiga Shrub, Alpine and Tundra (minor).
Habitat Types
Wetland and riparian; low elevation coniferous forest, shrub and herb; high elevation sparsely vegetated, herb, shrub and rock.
Watersheds
Porcupine River (Old Crow River and tributaries).
Image Explanation
Old Crow Flats Core Wetlands, LMU #1B (CWS photo)
Overview
Old Crow Flats is managed under the Old Crow Flats Management Plan (Yukon Department of Environment and Vuntut Gwitchin Government, 2006). A detailed description of the ecological, cultural and economic values of Old Crow Flats Core Wetlands is contained in the management plan and Gray and Alt (2001). This unit contains the central wetlands of Old Crow Flats, the largest wetland complex in Yukon. Protection and interpretation of ecological and cultural resources is the primary management objective for the Protected Area. As of 2006, Old Crow Flats Core Wetlands is permanently withdrawn from land disposition and exploration activities.
Special Management Considerations
- See Old Crow Flats Management Plan (Yukon Department of Environment and Vuntut Gwitchin Government, 2006). This plan and more information on the Van Tat K’atr’anahtii (Old Crow Flats) Special Management Area are found here.
Cumulative Effects Thresholds
Relative to LMU Size*
Surface Disturbance (%)
Linear Disturbance (km/km2)
Current disturbance (2020)
0.010
0.013
Cautionary
0.000
0.000
Critical
0.000
0.000
On the ground amounts**
Surface Disturbance (km2)
Linear Disturbance (km)
Current disturbance (2020)
0.43
57.0
Room under cautionary threshold***
-0.43
-57.0
Cautionary
0.00
0.0
Critical
0.00
0.0
*These are proportional to the size of the LMU, and correspond to table 3-2 of the Approved Plan. They are measured in the % of the LMU that can be disturbed (“Surface Disturbance”) and in km/km2 (“Linear Disturbance Density”).
**These are amounts that can be measured and apply to the whole LMU and would be more familiar to project proponents and regulators. They are measured in km2 of disturbance and in km of linear disturbance (e.g., roads, trails and cutlines).
***How much more disturbance can be added to existing disturbance before the cautionary threshold is reached.