NORTH YUKON PLANNING REGION:
LMU 5: Bluefish Lake – Keele Range
Land Use Designation
Integrated Management Area, Zone III
Land Status
Yukon public land and two VGFN S-sites (S-17A and S-19A)
Traditional Territories
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
Area
2,071 km2 (3.4% of Region)
Biophysical Setting (LMU 5)
Setting
Remote, rugged mountainous unit with some of highest elevations in region.
Ecoregions
North Ogilvie Mountains.
Bioclimatic Zones
Taiga Wooded, Taiga Shrub and Alpine.
Habitat Types
Extensive areas of high elevation sparsely vegetated, rock, herb and shrub; lower elevation valleys contain coniferous forest and shrub; some wetland and limited riparian.
Watersheds
Porcupine River (Bluefish River) and Yukon River (Salmon Fork River).
Image Explanation
Extensive areas of high elevation, sparsely vegetated habitats are present in the Keele Range of LMU #5. (CWS photo)
Cumulative Effects Thresholds
Relative to LMU Size*
Surface Disturbance (%)
Linear Disturbance (km/km2)
Current disturbance (2020)
0.000
0.000
Cautionary
0.375
0.375
Critical
0.500
0.500
On the ground amounts**
Surface Disturbance (km2)
Linear Disturbance (km)
Current disturbance (2020)
0.00
0.0
Room under cautionary threshold***
7.77
776.7
Cautionary
7.77
776.7
Critical
10.36
1035.6
*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 in eastern portion of unit during three seasons - spring migration, fall migration and winter.
Moose
Significant habitats in all seasons. High quality habitat in Bluefish River, Bluefish Lake and Salmon Fork River corridors.
Marten
Moderate - high quality winter habitat in forested valleys and mountain slopes.
Sheep
Sheep population (unconfirmed) near Mount Rover.
Fish
Potential over-wintering habitat in middle Bluefish River.
Other Species
Significant furbearer habitat in northern portion of unit.
Wetlands and Lakes
Bluefish and Salmon Fork river corridors contain wetlands. Bluefish and Useful lakes are present.
Riparian Areas
Bluefish and Salmon Fork river valleys.
Major River Corridors
None
Heritage, Social and Cultural Resources
VGFN Heritage Routes and Sites
No identified VGFN heritage routes or sites.
Other Heritage and Historic Resources
High cultural values at Useful Lake, Bluefish Lake and Nest Mountain. One documented archaeological site near Bluefish Lake. Potential for caves to be present.
Current Community Use Areas
Bluefish and Useful lakes, and several winter trails.
Economic Development
Transportation and Access
No existing transportation infrastructure.
Traditional Economy
Winter trapping and subsistence harvesting.
Tourism and Recreation
Low interests and activity.
Oil and Gas Resources
Very low potential.
Mineral Resources
High potential.
Aggregate (Gravel) Resources
No identified resources; river gravels or crushed rock offer potential sources.
Special Management Considerations
- High potential for discovery of heritage resources. Numerous limestone caves present.
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is adjacent to western border of unit (Yukon-Alaska border). North Yukon