NORTH YUKON PLANNING REGION:
LMU 2: Lower Porcupine River
Sub-unit #2A: Old Crow – Rampart House
Land Use Designation
Integrated Land Management Area, Zone II and Community Area
Land Status
VGFN Settlement Land (VG R-01A, R-10A, R-11A, and many S-sites) and Yukon public land
Traditional Territories
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
Area
1,527 km2 (2.5% of Region)
Biophysical Setting (LMU 2)
Setting
Diverse unit includes rolling hills, low mountains, and extensive pediments.
Ecoregions
Old Crow Basin, Old Crow Flats, Davidson Mountains and North Ogilvie Mountains.
Bioclimatic Zones
Taiga Wooded, Taiga Shrub and Alpine.
Habitat Types
Low-mid elevation coniferous forest, shrub and wet herb; high elevation sparsely vegetated, herb, shrub and rock; significant wetland (LMU #2C) and riparian (Porcupine).
Watersheds
Porcupine River (Bluefish and Old Crow rivers, and Caribou Bar, David Lord and Big Joe creeks).
Image Explanation
LMU #2 is a diverse unit. Pictured is the confluence of Bluefish and Porcupine rivers. Second Mountain, part of the Old Crow Range, can be seen in the background. (CWS photo)
Cumulative Effects Thresholds
Relative to LMU Size*
Surface Disturbance (%)
Linear Disturbance (km/km2)
Current disturbance (2020)
0.0333
0.0403
Cautionary
0.150
0.150
Critical
0.200
0.200
On the ground amounts**
Surface Disturbance (km2)
Linear Disturbance (km)
Current disturbance (2020)
0.49
59.57
Room under cautionary threshold***
1.73
162.16
Cautionary
2.22
221.73
Critical
2.96
295.64
*These are proportional to the size of the LMU, and correspond to table 3-2 of the Approved Plan. They are measured in the % of the LMU that can be disturbed (“Surface Disturbance”) and in km/km2 (“Linear Disturbance Density”).
**These are amounts that can be measured and apply to the whole LMU and would be more familiar to project proponents and regulators. They are measured in km2 of disturbance and in km of linear disturbance (e.g., roads, trails and cutlines).
***How much more disturbance can be added to existing disturbance before the cautionary threshold is reached.
NOTE: These values are calculated for the the portion of LMU 2A outside of the Community Area, which is exempt from surface disturbance and linear density indicator monitoring.
Amount of disturbance relative to the cautionary theshold:
%
Surface Disturbance
%
Linear Disturbance
Ecological Resources
Porcupine Caribou
Caribou concentrated use in four seasons - summer, fall migration, rutting and spring migration. Calving occurs infrequently.
Moose
Significant habitats in all seasons. Porcupine River and Upper Caribou Bar Creek most significant areas.
Marten
Low - moderate quality winter habitat.
Sheep
No known sheep populations.
Fish
Identified over-wintering habitat in Porcupine River; potential over-wintering habitat in Old Crow River.
Other Species
Spring and fall waterbird staging on Porcupine River.
Wetlands and Lakes
Few wetlands and lakes outside of Major River corridors. Upper Caribou Creek and Bluefish River confluence most significant wetland areas.
Riparian Areas
Porcupine and Old Crow rivers; Caribou Bar Creek.
Major River Corridors
Porcupine and Old Crow rivers.
Heritage, Social and Cultural Resources
VGFN Heritage Routes and Sites
Many routes and sites (see Map 2, Appendix 1).*
Other Heritage and Historic Resources
Many documented heritage and archaeological sites. Rampart House Yukon Historic Site designation pending.
Current Community Use Areas:
Most areas used for subsistence harvesting and travel, focused on Porcupine River corridor.
Economic Development
Transportation and Access
Crow Mountain gravel quarry access road.
Traditional Economy
All seasons and activities, including forest harvesting. LMU#2 receives highest level of community use in North Yukon Planning Region.
Tourism and Recreation
High values and interests; low activity levels. Area around Old Crow and Rampart are most important resources.
Oil and Gas Resources
Overall low potential; portion of unit is in Old Crow oil and gas basin.
Mineral Resources
High potential; highest potential in Old Crow Range.
Aggregate (Gravel) Resources
Few identified resources; river gravels and crushed rock offer potential sources.
Forest Resources
Large stands of riparian spruce limited to Porcupine River corridor and some tributary streams. Important fuel-wood resource for Old Crow.
Special Management Considerations
- North Yukon Land Withdrawal prohibits land disposition and resource exploration activities.
- Important caribou concentrated use area during multiple seasons; Porcupine caribou cross Porcupine River at this unit during fall and spring migration.
- Maintain opportunities for community use and subsistence harvesting.
- Old Crow Community Area noted for community infrastructure requirements.