YLUPC
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Designation:
Area:
Image Gentle mountains interspersed with valleys with open forests characterize LMU 2. (YG photo)
Land Status Non-Settlement Land, TH Settlement Land (R-19B; S-33B, S-124B, S-180B, S-181B, S-202B)
Objectives
  • Wilderness character is maintained.
  • Community cultural activities practiced without significant disturbance.
  • Unfettered movement and habitat use of Porcupine and Hart River caribou herds, Dall’s sheep and other large mammals.
  • Wilderness tourism activities linked to the existing Tombstone Territorial Park that are consistent with the objectives above.
Rationale for Designation
  • North Cache Creek and area supports important cultural activities of the TH.
  • Overlapping key wintering areas for two caribou herds: Porcupine caribou herd, and the Hart River herd.
    • Overlapping caribou key areas only occur in two places in the Region.
    • The Hart River herd is of the Northern Mountain ecotype, which is listed as “Special Concern” under SARA.
  • Sheep habitat valued by outfitters and the TH.
  • National hotspot for plant endemism.
  • Adjacency to Tombstone Territorial Park and the Dempster Highway Corridor improves suitability for recreation, hunting/outfitting, and tourism.
  • Access to high mineral potential in the western end of LMU 2 through remaining unit cannot be reconciled with values listed above.
Biophysical Setting
Setting Extensive tundra-like plains with mountains rising to the south and significant riparian zones.
Ecoregions Mackenzie Mountains and North Ogilvie Mountains.
Bioclimate Zones Taiga Wooded, Taiga Shrub and Alpine.
Ecological Resources
Significant Wildlife and Fish Habitats
Caribou Unusual convergence of key/concentrated winter use areas for both the Porcupine and Hart River herds west of North Cache Creek.
Moose High habitat suitability and use in valley bottoms and in narrow bands along smaller tributaries; low-nil late winter habitat suitability in higher country.
Marten Generally poor quality winter habitat; significant pockets of moderate habitat occur.
Sheep Some highly suitable winter habitat with documented (TK, big game outfitters, scientific) habitat use.
Fish Fish likely present in rivers and lower gradient streams, including North Cache Creek; winter overflow and surface groundwater indicate good overwintering potential.
Grizzly Bear Mostly moderate habitat suitability in low to mid elevation; high habitat suitability in riparian areas.
Peregrine Falcon No known or predicted habitat.
Birds (General) High value waterbird habitat in riparian areas; low to moderate breeding bird species richness; high number of species of conservation concern in mountain valleys.
Vegetation A national hotspot for plant endemism. Alpine plants, shrubs, and riparian coniferous forests.
Wetlands, Lakes and Riparian Areas Few small riparian wetlands.
Permafrost Extensive high water content permafrost expected for flatter pediments/plateaus on northern edge of unit.
Special Features
Heritage, Social and Cultural Resources
Heritage Resources Culturally important places around North Cache Creek and Chapman Lake. Several historic camps and the current TH culture camp.
Palaeontological Resources Sedimentary rocks in this area have high potential to yield Paleozoic fossils.
Economic Development
Transportation and Access The Dempster Highway lies at the eastern boundary. Conceptual access route has been identified at the far western end of this unit between the Fifteen Mile River and the Miner River. The conceptual Dempster Highway lateral pipeline bisects unit away from highway.
Traditional Economy TH “First Hunt” is often within this LMU. TH hunting and fishing.
Recreation and Tourism High value hiking and recreation potential. Proximity to Dempster Highway gives options for “front-country” tourism.
Forestry Little potential for forestry.
Big Game Outfitters and Trapping Blackstone Outfitting Ltd. and Reynolds Outfitting Ltd; some high value hunting.
Oil and Gas Resources No potential.
Mineral Resources Approximately 345 quartz claims; high copper/gold/uranium and zinc-lead potential at western end of unit.
Special Management Considerations
  1. The proposed right-of-way for the Dempster Highway lateral pipeline passes through this unit.
  2. The Hart River caribou herd and Porcupine caribou herd core wintering areas overlap in this unit.
  3. Subsequent Dempster Highway sub-regional land use plan may apply to eastern part of unit – Dempster Corridor to be managed consistent with SMA objectives.

Indicator gauges

Surface disturbance (km²)
Linear disturbance (km)

Cumulative effects