YLUPC
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Area:
Image Rugged mountains separated by broad valleys or flatter, rolling terrain with open forests characterize LMU 4. (YG photos)
Land Status Non-Settlement Land, TH Settlement Land (S-30B, S-31B)
Objectives
  • Wilderness character is maintained.
  • Cultural activities of relevant First Nations are practiced without significant disturbance from other land-use activities.
  • 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 and don’t require significant infrastructure.
Rationale for Designation
  • 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.
  • Generally high ecological values, no coal, oil and gas potential, and generally low potential for carbonate-hosted zinc-lead and Wernecke Breccias.
Biophysical Setting
Setting An area of tundra-like plains at the confluence of the West Hart River, Rae Creek, and the Hart River surrounded by mountains that lie to the east of Tombstone Territorial Park.
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 use areas for both the Porcupine and Hart River herds throughout.
Moose High habitat suitability and use in valley bottoms and in narrow bands along smaller tributaries; low to 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; winter overflow and surface groundwater indicate good overwintering potential.
Grizzly Bear Mostly moderate habitat suitability in low to mid elevations; 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 Broad swaths of riparian habitats along major rivers and creeks.
Permafrost Extensive high water content permafrost expected for flatter pediments/plateaus and valley bottoms.
Special Features Some mineral licks. Several possible wildlife passes.
Heritage, Social and Cultural Resources
Heritage Resources Culturally important places, camps and cabins around Lomond Lake, along the West Hart River and scattered elsewhere (TH and NND).
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 northwestern boundary, and the old Hart River road/trail extends into the unit from the west. Conceptual access route has been identified that bisects the unit from west to east. A few airstrips of unknown status.
Traditional Economy Hunting, fishing and trapping, with most activity to the west.
Recreation and Tourism High value hiking and recreation potential. Paddling opportunities. Proximity to Dempster Highway gives options for “front-country” tourism.
Forestry Little potential for forestry.
Big Game Outfitters and Trapping Pete Jenssen Outfitting, Blackstone Outfitting Ltd. and Reynolds Outfitting Ltd; some high value hunting (sheep, caribou).
Oil and Gas Resources No potential.
Mineral Resources Approximately 495 quartz claims; one Cu-Zn deposit; high general mineral potential, though generally low potential for carbonate-hosted zinc-lead and Wernecke Breccias.
Special Management Considerations
  1. Extensive regionally rare overlap of winter core areas of two caribou herds.
  2. Subsequent Dempster Highway land use plan may apply to northwestern part of unit.
  3. The administrative boundary between NND and TH traditional territories bisects the unit north–south.
  4. The Hart River Trail accesses the unit from the west. Use of this trail by off-road vehicles is allowed, subject to Section 4.3.1.1 of the Plan and other management plans.

Indicator gauges

Surface disturbance (km²)
Linear disturbance (km)

Cumulative effects