YLUPC
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Artwork: Yukon Graphic Recording

INTENT STATEMENT

The vision for this LMU is ongoing, sustainable economic land use that allows Caribou and other ecological values to persist. The intent is to adequately protect key caribou habitat and to support sustainable development through strong access management. Interest in this area is growing, which is increasing access into places that were previously remote. It will be important to plan and manage new and existing access so that important environmental and socio-cultural values are preserved.

This is a large LMU that includes major watersheds and multiple land uses, including mineral exploration and development, forestry, tourism, harvesting, and recreation. The Top of the World Highway, a major tourist route that connects the Yukon to Alaska, runs through this LMU, making it highly accessible via the highway, secondary roads, and trails. As the name suggests, the Sixty Mile River runs through this LMU and is an important river for grayling and juvenile Chinook rearing and winter habitat.

This LMU is designated as an ISA 3 to support continued responsible and sustainable growth of industrial activities, which are significant contributors to the Region’s economic and socio-cultural well-being, while safeguarding ecological integrity. LMU directions provide clear guidance to protect wildlife, habitats, and traditional land uses.

TR’ËHUDÈ AND STEWARDSHIP

Khel Dëk means “Packsack River”. Khel Dëk, or the Sixty Mile River, flows through this LMU. This is an important area for Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, especially for harvesting. In the past, there were camps at the mouth of the Sixty Mile River and traditional travel routes through the area. Today, it continues to be used for subsistence hunting of Fortymile caribou herd, and there are ongoing efforts by Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in to reconnect with the herd through community hunts and educational camps.

LMU DIRECTIONS

  1. This area is located within important caribou herd ranges. It is crucial to maintain key caribou migration pathways and to minimize disturbance to key habitat. Stewardship Directions for the caribou overlays (Section 5.3.4) must be followed.
  2. This LMU is a priority area for an Access Management Plan for new and existing access. Specifically:
    1. There are many overlapping interests in the LMU. An Access Management Plan will provide a framework for all values and interests to co-exist.
    2. A lot of access exists already; an Access Management Plan is required to control this and ensure that access does not grow unchecked.
    3. The continued and increased use of the Yukon and Sixtymile rivers for access requires subsequent management.
    4. The viewscape within this LMU should be protected.
  3. This area contains extensive moose habitat. Impacts to moose through overharvesting should be minimized. Timing windows to reduce industrial impacts to moose, as guided by qualified and appropriate staff in each Party. Sustainable harvesting levels should be promoted.
  4. This area is particularly important for subsistence harvesting and the pursuit of traditional economic activities. The ability for residents to continue using the land in this way must be maintained, and Aboriginal rights must be respected. All Dawson residents should be able to participate in sustainable harvests, provided that Aboriginal rights are not compromised.
  5. The visual integrity and natural aesthetic viewscape of the Top of the World Highway corridor should be maintained. The Tourism plan for the Top of the World Highway is in development. When approved, it should be followed by all land users.
  6. Do not disturb the unique biophysical and socio-cultural setting of the Top of the World Highway corridor, in particular with the use of off-road vehicles within key ungulate, ecologically important, and cultural areas. The use of off-road vehicles should not undermine cultural and wildlife values.
  7. With regards to the Sixty Mile River:
    1. Do not block the flow of water in the Sixty Mile River.
    2. Do not allow ground disturbance or storage of contaminants (including fuel storage, outhouses, waste materials, and tailings ponds) within 30 m of the high-water mark.
    3. Reclamation of existing disturbances should be directed towards standards that protect heritage and water values.
    4. Use existing access points wherever possible.
    5. Access should be shared.
PRIORITY VALUES
  • Water
  • Caribou
  • Moose
  • Landscapes
  • Sustainable Local Economy
VALUES
Land–People Relationship
  • Harvest of non-timber forest products is important for the community (Top of the World Highway, Sixty Mile Road, and other secondary roads).
  • Recreation and relationship-building with the land occur through off-road vehicle use, hiking, berry picking, and wildlife viewing.
  • These activities, as well as economic pursuits, are all opportunities for stewardship.
Community Culture
  • Historical mining sites on the Sixty Mile River and at Miller and Glacier creeks.
  • Paleontological discoveries contribute to Community Culture.
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Culture, Heritage, and Hän language
  • Presence of traditional trails and several archaeological sites.
  • Several Settlement Land parcels identified, including S-14B, are important harvesting and gathering sites.
  • This area is particularly important for subsistence harvesting (moose, caribou, berries) and the pursuit of traditional economic activities.
Community Resilience
  • Placer mining operations offer local employment and potential for long-term economic investment in the community.
  • Stewardship opportunities in this LMU support individual and community well-being.
Water
  • The Sixty Mile River and its many tributaries flow into the Yukon River.
Plant and Animal Relations
  • High-elevation habitat is important for some migratory bird species, with isolated areas of high-concern habitat along major rivers and watercourses (Matson Creek and Sixty Mile River).
  • Areas adjacent to the Yukon River contain raptor nests.
  • Good beaver habitat and moderate muskrat habitat.
  • No identified sheep habitat: sheep are likely occasional visitors to parts of the LMU.
  • Species-at-risk expected to occur include little brown myotis, spiked saxifrage, gypsy cuckoo bumble bee, Suckley’s cuckoo bumble bee, western bumble bee mckayi subspecies, barn swallow, common nighthawk, transverse lady beetle, horned grebe, bank swallow, lesser yellowlegs, olive-sided flycatcher, rusty blackbird, short-eared owl, and wolverine.
Salmon
  • Several streams are likely to support salmon and freshwater fish spawning and rearing habitat, though none have been mapped.
Caribou
  • Contains winter and summer habitat as well as migration corridors for the Fortymile and Nelchina caribou herds.
Moose
  • Extensive good moose habitat, including Wildlife Key Areas for late winter (February to April).
Landscapes
  • Part of the Klondike Plateau ecoregion of the Boreal Cordillera.
  • Presence of intact forest (>140 years old) near Mount Tyrell and Matson Creek.
  • Occurrence of known mineral licks.
Wetlands
  • Wetland habitat along Sixty Mile River and Matson Creek includes bogs, fens, and swamps.
Sustainable Local Economy
  • Part of the Sixty Mile River Landscape Unit of the Dawson Forest Resources Management Plan, a medium priority for short-term planning, with potential for high timber values. There are no active timber harvest plans in the area.
  • Highly to significantly prospective for minerals. Placer exploration and mining and quartz exploration are prevalent.
  • Contains active trapping concessions and associated infrastructure.
  • Most tourism activity occurs close to the highway or is accessed from the Yukon River.

Indicator gauges

Surface disturbance (km²)
Linear disturbance (km)

Cumulative effects