NORTH YUKON PLANNING REGION:
LMU 2: Lower Porcupine River
Sub-unit #2B: Bluefish River – David Lord Creek
Land Use Designation
Integrated Management Area, Zone III
Land Status
VGFN Settlement Land (VG R-11A and many S-sites) and Yukon public land
Traditional Territories
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
Area
3,086 km2 (5.1% 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)
0.058
0.065
Cautionary
0.375
0.375
Critical
0.500
0.500
On the ground amounts**
Surface Disturbance (km2)
Linear Disturbance (km)
Current disturbance (2020)
1.79
200.93
Room under cautionary threshold***
9.78
956.14
Cautionary
11.57
1157.07
Critical
15.43
1542.76
*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.
Amount of disturbance relative to the cautionary theshold:
%
Surface Disturbance
%
Linear Disturbance
Ecological Resources
Porcupine Caribou
Caribou concentrated use during fall and spring migration and winter (Lone Mountain) periods.
Moose
Significant habitats in all seasons. Porcupine River, upper Johnson Creek and Driftwood and Bluefish river valleys most important.
Marten
Moderate quality winter habitat.
Sheep
No known sheep populations.
Fish
Identified over-wintering habitat in Porcupine and lower Bluefish rivers; potential overwintering habitat in upper Bluefish and Driftwood rivers.
Other Species
Spring and fall waterbird staging on Porcupine River.
Wetlands and Lakes
Significant wetland habitats in lower Bluefish River, and David Lord and upper Johnson creeks.
Riparian Areas
Porcupine and Bluefish rivers, David Lord and Johnson creeks.
Major River Corridors
Porcupine River.
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, including Bluefish Caves.
Current Community Use Areas:
Many areas used for subsistence harvesting and travel. Porcupine River corridor and Lone Mountain of special significance.
Economic Development
Transportation and Access
Old Crow winter 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. Old Crow, Rampart House and BluefishCaves most important resources.
Oil and Gas Resources
Limited potential; margin of Old Crow oil and gas basin.
Mineral Resources
High potential; highest potential around Lone Mountain.
Aggregate (Gravel) Resources
No identified resources; river gravels and crushed rock offer potential sources.
Forest Resources
Lower David Lord Creek contains large riparian spruce forests, an important fuel-wood and building material resource for Old Crow.
Special Management Considerations
- VGFN Final Agreement identifies Lower David Lord Creek as a Community Forest Reserve.
- Maintain existing routing of Old Crow winter road.
- Maintain opportunities for community use and subsistence harvesting.