DA-016 – Plan Yukon

INTENT STATEMENT

The intent for this LMU is to preserve core summer habitat that is essential to the continued growth and survival of the Fortymile caribou herd within its Yukon range. The long-term vision is to maintain this as an area with little human influence or activity.

The Fortymile caribou herd holds significant cultural importance to the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and provides important opportunities for subsistence harvesting and stewardship. While much of the herd’s Yukon range overlaps with areas of land use disturbance, parts of the Matson Uplands remain relatively undeveloped.

Within this LMU there is one placer claim, as well as existing all-season access, some secondary access trails, and landing strips.

This LMU is designated as a Special Management Area to protect key caribou habitat. The Matson Uplands contain key Fortymile summer habitat, winter range for both the Fortymile and Nelchina herds, and critical migration pathways for the Fortymile herd during spring, summer, and fall. Across the Region, Fortymile range overlaps with areas of high human-caused disturbance, creating a risk of habitat loss and movement barriers, particularly in key summer and migratory ranges. Protecting the remaining critical habitat and ensuring that migratory pathways remain intact – especially at pinch points – is necessary to maintain landscape connectivity, support herd viability, and uphold long-term ecological integrity in the Region.

LMU DIRECTIONS

No additional land disturbance or development are supported in this LMU, including in existing tenure.

Development footprint is allowed according to ISA 2 surface disturbance and linear feature density thresholds.

Mineral development is allowed only within existing mineral tenure. Withdraw all other lands from quartz and placer mineral staking.

Access:

No new surface access.
Continued use of existing access.

This LMU should be prioritized for reclamation activities. At the 10-year Plan Review, the development footprint of this LMU should be reviewed. If both development footprint indicators are below ISA 1 critical thresholds, the development footprint thresholds should be revised to be equivalent to ISA 1 thresholds.

Wildfires should be prioritized for suppression to protect key habitat of the Fortymile caribou herd.

Off-road vehicle use should be restricted to existing trails only. An off-road vehicle management area (ORVMA) is not required at this time but may be considered in the future if the use of off-road vehicles changes.

The SMA Management Plan should consider the priority values.

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.

PRIORITY VALUES

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Culture, Heritage, and Hän Language
Caribou
Landscapes

VALUES

Land–People Relationship

Some recreation activities occur on trails.
The Fortymile caribou herd presents a unique opportunity for community members to see a large, intact herd of wildlife and appreciate the scale of a migratory herd and the landscape it depends on; this LMU is important to their persistence.

Community Culture

The Fortymile caribou herd’s presence and health support a sense of identity as good stewards.

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Culture, Heritage, and Hän language

Oral history of caribou fences in this area and the potential for archeological resources associated with caribou harvesting activities.
This traditional use area is important for trapping. It has high ecological importance for moose and caribou habitats that support subsistence harvest. There are ongoing efforts by Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in to reconnect with the Fortymile herd through community hunts and educational camps.

Community Resilience

Not applicable.

Water

Surface water drains into Ladue wetland complex at the southern edge of the LMU.

Plant and Animal Relations

High-elevation habitat is crucial for some migratory bird species.
Species-at-risk known to occur include collared pika, Dawson wallflower, and wolverine.
Species-at-risk expected in low numbers include Yukon podistera, gypsy cuckoo bumble bee, Suckley’s cuckoo bumble bee, western bumble bee mckayi subspecies, transverse lady beetle, barn swallow, common nighthawk, horned grebe, bank swallow, lesser yellowlegs, olive-sided flycatcher, rusty blackbird, and short-eared owl.

Salmon

While predominantly high elevation, surface waters eventually drain into salmon-bearing waterways.

Caribou

Identified as critical habitat for Fortymile caribou herd persistence.
Contains winter and summer habitat as well as migration corridors for the Fortymile and Nelchina caribou herds.

Moose

Insufficient information.

Landscapes

Landscape connectivity from Alaska into the Yukon, which is necessary for caribou migration.
Important ecosystems include low-elevation steppe meadows and unglaciated high-elevation alpine (> 1,300 m), both of which have endemic species (William’s Catchfly and Arctic Primrose, respectively).

Wetlands

The Ladue River drainage, which overlaps the southern portion of the LMU, consists primarily of swamps, fens, and bogs.

Sustainable Local Economy

Overlaps with the Sixty Mile River Central Landscape Unit of the Dawson Forest Resources Management Plan, which is designated as medium priority for short-term forest resource development. However, the area is high elevation and has limited forest resource potential.
No active quartz claims or permits are in this area, but high-to-medium mineral potential.
Overlaps with a trapping concession.

Indicator gauges

Surface disturbance (km²)

Linear disturbance (km)

INTENT STATEMENT

TR’ËHUDÈ AND STEWARDSHIP

“We have abused both the herd and the land. The land is waiting for an apology. Until then, the herd will not be productive and give itself to people.”

LMU DIRECTIONS

Indicator gauges

Cumulative effects

VALUES
Land–People Relationship	Some recreation activities occur on trails. The Fortymile caribou herd presents a unique opportunity for community members to see a large, intact herd of wildlife and appreciate the scale of a migratory herd and the landscape it depends on; this LMU is important to their persistence.
Community Culture	The Fortymile caribou herd’s presence and health support a sense of identity as good stewards.
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Culture, Heritage, and Hän language	Oral history of caribou fences in this area and the potential for archeological resources associated with caribou harvesting activities. This traditional use area is important for trapping. It has high ecological importance for moose and caribou habitats that support subsistence harvest. There are ongoing efforts by Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in to reconnect with the Fortymile herd through community hunts and educational camps.
Community Resilience	Not applicable.
Water	Surface water drains into Ladue wetland complex at the southern edge of the LMU.
Plant and Animal Relations	High-elevation habitat is crucial for some migratory bird species. Species-at-risk known to occur include collared pika, Dawson wallflower, and wolverine. Species-at-risk expected in low numbers include Yukon podistera, gypsy cuckoo bumble bee, Suckley’s cuckoo bumble bee, western bumble bee mckayi subspecies, transverse lady beetle, barn swallow, common nighthawk, horned grebe, bank swallow, lesser yellowlegs, olive-sided flycatcher, rusty blackbird, and short-eared owl.
Salmon	While predominantly high elevation, surface waters eventually drain into salmon-bearing waterways.
Caribou	Identified as critical habitat for Fortymile caribou herd persistence. Contains winter and summer habitat as well as migration corridors for the Fortymile and Nelchina caribou herds.
Moose	Insufficient information.
Landscapes	Landscape connectivity from Alaska into the Yukon, which is necessary for caribou migration. Important ecosystems include low-elevation steppe meadows and unglaciated high-elevation alpine (> 1,300 m), both of which have endemic species (William’s Catchfly and Arctic Primrose, respectively).
Wetlands	The Ladue River drainage, which overlaps the southern portion of the LMU, consists primarily of swamps, fens, and bogs.
Sustainable Local Economy	Overlaps with the Sixty Mile River Central Landscape Unit of the Dawson Forest Resources Management Plan, which is designated as medium priority for short-term forest resource development. However, the area is high elevation and has limited forest resource potential. No active quartz claims or permits are in this area, but high-to-medium mineral potential. Overlaps with a trapping concession.