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Image explanation Bell River corridor in Northern Richardson Mountains is a
significant Porcupine Caribou and moose habitat.
Land Status Yukon public land and VGFN Settlement Land (VG R-14B, S-16A, S-18A).
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 One of the most significant caribou concentrated use areas in the region. Porcupine herd may be present in at least five seasons, including summer, fall migration, rutting, winter, and spring migration.
Moose Significant seasonal habitats along river corridors. Bell River corridor supports some of the highest winter moose densities in Yukon.
Marten Low – moderate habitat.
Sheep Most significant sheep area in planning region; many key sheep habitats identified throughout unit.
Fish Potential over-wintering habitat in Bell and Little Bell rivers.
Other Species Significant grizzly bear habitat in Bell River valley. Muskoxen use area infrequently.
Wetlands and Lakes Lower Bell River in vicinity of Lapierre House contains significant wetland habitats.
Riparian Areas Bell, Little Bell, and lower Waters rivers.
Major River Corridors Bell River
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 Lapierre House (historic fur-trade era trading post, Yukon Historic Site status pending). Many documented archaeological sites in vicinity of Summit Lake.
Current Community Use Areas High use by Old Crow, Ft. McPherson, and Aklavik residents along Bell River corridor and Summit Lake.
Economic Development
Transportation and Access No existing transportation infrastructure. A conceptual access route has been identified in this unit1.
Traditional Economy Summer and winter travel and subsistence harvesting.
Tourism and Recreation High tourism values – Summit Lake, Bell River corridor, and Lapierre House. Summer wilderness recreation corridor.
Oil and Gas Resources Low potential; northern margin of the Eagle Plain oil and gas basin.
Mineral Resources Low – moderate potential.
Aggregate (Gravel) Resources No identified resources; river gravels or crushed rock offer potential sources.
Special Management Considerations
  1. Proposed as Protected Area land use category (implementation details to be determined by the Parties).
  2. Rat River Gwich’in Conservation Zone in NWT, and Inuvialuit Category D–E lands on Yukon North Slope are adjacent to unit.
  3. Summit Lake (McDougall Pass) is an important wildlife corridor between Yukon and NWT.
  4. Maintain opportunities for community use and subsistence harvesting.
  5. Tetlit Gwich’in Secondary Use Area.
  6. Potential Yukon North Slope transportation corridor options may require consideration.
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.

Indicator gauges

Surface disturbance (km²)
Linear disturbance (km)

Cumulative effects