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Image Weathering and lack of glaciation have resulted in pillars of rocks called tors. Deep forested valleys are also characteristic of this area. (YG photo)
Land Status Non-Settlement Land, TH Settlement Land (R-35B)
Objectives
  • Ecological integrity is maintained.
  • Some culturally and ecologically-aware resource exploration and extraction that supports the local economies.
  • All permitted land use activity does not significantly impact movement and habitats of caribou.
  • Continued use of the Blackstone River for accessible wilderness tourism.
Rationale for Designation
  • Adjacency to the Dempster Highway may allow development to occur more readily with less access-related impacts.
  • Existing tourism and recreation opportunities are generally reliant on Dempster Highway and may be somewhat more tolerant of development than in more remote areas.
  • Flatter areas of unit make cumulative effects monitoring more effective in limiting impacts on habitat in those areas.
  • Most of the unit is quite rugged, thus limiting the effectiveness of cumulative effects monitoring.
  • The high value of this unit for the Porcupine caribou herd, Dall’s sheep, and the people that hunt them calls for a limited scale of industrial development, thus meriting a Zone III designation.
Biophysical Setting
Setting Generally mountainous terrain with forested valley bottoms, slopes, and flats.
Ecoregions North Ogilvie Mountains.
Bioclimate Zones Taiga Wooded, Taiga Shrub and Alpine.
Ecological Resources
Significant Wildlife and Fish Habitats
Caribou High value winter habitat of the Hart River herd concentrated along forested valley bottoms and flatter terrain. Moderate value winter habitat of the Porcupine herd throughout. The Porcupine herd has general use winter and fall areas scattered throughout.
Moose Narrow bands of high habitat suitability along smaller tributaries; generally low late winter habitat suitability elsewhere.
Marten Generally poor quality winter habitat; significant pockets of moderate habitat occur.
Sheep Extensive areas of highly suitable winter habitat with documented (TK, big game outfitters, scientific) habitat use. Scattered licks.
Fish Winter overflow, open water, and surface groundwater locations indicate overwintering potential; fish in rivers and lower gradient tributaries.
Grizzly Bear Mostly moderate habitat suitability in low to mid elevations; high in riparian areas and subalpine zones.
Peregrine Falcon High potential for peregrine falcon foraging and nesting habitat in lower elevations.
Birds (General) High value waterbird habitat in riparian areas; low to moderate breeding bird species richness; moderate number of species of conservation concern.
Vegetation High endemism/rarity. Alpine plants, low-mid elevation dry herb/shrub/coniferous forests, mid-subalpine shrub, riparian communities.
Wetlands, Lakes and Riparian Areas Few small wetlands. Narrow riparian strips.
Permafrost Extensive high water content permafrost expected for flatter pediments/plateaus.
Special Features Some mineral licks. Several possible wildlife passes.
Heritage, Social and Cultural Resources
Heritage Resources Cabins (TH) and camps (NND). Culturally important places for TGFN, TH, VGFN. Several heritage routes.
Palaeontological Resources The Bouvette Formation; Road River Group: Ogilvie Formation and Michelle Formation sedimentary rocks in this area have known fossil localities and have high potential to yield further discoveries.
Economic Development
Transportation and Access The Dempster Highway lies at the western boundary. A few airstrips of unknown status along highway and near the mouth of the Blackstone River.
Traditional Economy Significant harvesting along Dempster Highway. Other traditional harvesting and wildlife area and big game/fur-bearing locations.
Recreation and Tourism Near the Dempster Highway there are front-country tourism opportunities. Blackstone River provides a readily accessible “backcountry” paddling experience.
Forestry Little potential for forestry.
Big Game Outfitters and Trapping Blackstone Outfitting Ltd.; some high value hunting.
Oil and Gas Resources No potential.
Mineral Resources Approximately 340 quartz claims; moderate zinc-lead potential; moderate-high general mineral potential.
Special Management Considerations
  1. The proposed right-of-way for the Dempster Highway lateral pipeline runs along western boundary.
  2. Major River Corridor management directions apply along the Ogilvie and Blackstone Rivers.
  3. Dempster Corridor management directions apply near the Dempster Highway.
  4. Subsequent Dempster Highway land use plan may apply near the Dempster Highway.
  5. The administrative boundary between NND and TH traditional territories runs through NE corner.

Indicator gauges

Surface disturbance (km²)
Linear disturbance (km)

Cumulative effects