| Image explanation | Bell River corridor in Northern Richardson Mountains is a significant Porcupine Caribou and moose habitat. |
| Land Status | Yukon public land and VGFN S-Site (S-16A). |
| Biophysical Setting | |
| Setting | Remote mountainous unit with sub-arctic conditions. |
| Ecoregions | British Richardson Mountains. |
| Bioclimate Zones | Taiga Shrub, Alpine, and Tundra (minor). |
| Habitat Types | High elevation sparsely vegetated, herb, shrub, and rock; low elevation coniferous forest and shrub; minor wetland and riparian. |
| Watersheds | Porcupine River (Bell, Little Bell, and Waters rivers, headwaters of Driftwood River). |
| Ecological Resources | |
| Significant Wildlife and Fish Habitats | |
| Porcupine Caribou | Caribou concentrated use area. Porcupine herd may be present in at least three seasons, including fall migration, rutting, and winter. |
| Moose | Significant seasonal habitats along LaChute River corridor. |
| Marten | Low – moderate winter habitat. |
| Sheep | Status uncertain; significant sheep habitats identified in adjacent LMU #4C. |
| Fish | Potential over-wintering habitat in LaChute River. |
| Other Species | Significant grizzly bear habitat in lower LaChute River valley. |
| Wetlands and Lakes | Very few; lower LaChute River in vicinity of Lapierre House most significant. |
| Riparian Areas | LaChute River and few large tributary streams to Eagle River. |
| Major River Corridors | None. |
| Heritage, Social and Cultural Resources | |
| VGFN Heritage Routes and Sites | Old Crow to Ft. McPherson trail, via Salmon Cache and Lapierre House. Traditional use and culturally significant area for Gwich’in First Nations. |
| Other Heritage and Historic Resources | Many documented archaeological sites. |
| Current Community Use Areas | Limited use; most activities occur in adjacent Bell and Rock River corridors (LMUs #4C and #8B). |
| Economic Development | |
| Transportation and Access | No existing transportation infrastructure. A conceptual access route has been identified in this unit1. |
| Traditional Economy | Winter travel on Old Crow – Ft. McPherson Trail; subsistence harvesting. |
| Tourism and Recreation | High values in southern portion of unit, adjacent to Dempster Highway. Low levels of activity. |
| Oil and Gas Resources | Low – moderate potential; northern margin of the Eagle Plain oil and gas basin. |
| Mineral Resources | Very low potential. |
| Aggregate (Gravel) Resources | No identified resources; river gravels or crushed rock offer potential sources. |
| Special Management Considerations | |
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1 Yukon Government, Department of Energy Mines and Resources. 2003. Conceptual study report to identify potential natural resource infrastructure access corridors Yukon, 2002-2003. Prepared by Access Consulting Group, Whitehorse, YT. March, 2003. 89 pp.