NORTH YUKON PLANNING REGION:
LMU 2: Lower Porcupine River
Sub-unit #2C: Bluefish – Cadzow Lake Wetlands
Land Use Designation
Integrated Management Area, Zone I
Land Status
VGFN Settlement Land (VG R-11A and many S-sites) and Yukon public land
Traditional Territories
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
Area
980 km2 (1.6% 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)
0.040
0.044
Cautionary
0.075
0.075
Critical
0.100
0.100
On the ground amounts**
Surface Disturbance (km2)
Linear Disturbance (km)
Current disturbance (2020)
0.39
43.4
Room under cautionary threshold***
0.34
30.1
Cautionary
0.73
73.5
Critical
0.98
98.0
*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 periods.
Moose
Significant habitats in all seasons with spring/summer period of special importance.
Marten
Low - moderate quality winter habitat.
Sheep
No sheep populations.
Fish
Identified and potential over-wintering habitat in Porcupine and lower Bluefish rivers, David Lord Creek, and many lakes.
Other Species
High densities of waterbirds stage on this stretch of the Porcupine River.
Wetlands and Lakes
Entire unit is a significant wetland habitat. Central Bluefish wetland complex similar to Old Crow Flats. Cadzow wetlands contain diversity of wetland types.
Riparian Areas
Porcupine and Bluefish rivers and David Lord Creek. Numerous tributaries within wetland complexes.
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
Several documented heritage and archaeological sites.
Current Community Use Areas:
Entire wetland complex used for subsistence harvesting and travel.
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 – Porcupine River is most important resource.
Oil and Gas Resources
Moderate potential; margin of Old Crow oil and gas basin.
Mineral Resources
Moderate - high potential.
Aggregate (Gravel) Resources
No identified resources; river gravels 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
- Within the IMA, Zone I designation identifies high ecological and cultural values within a sensitive biophysical setting. All-season infrastructure is discouraged.
- Maintain opportunities for community use and subsistence harvesting.
- VGFN Final Agreement identifies Lower David Lord Creek as a Community Forest Reserve.
- Existing routing of Old Crow winter road should be maintained.