NORTH YUKON PLANNING REGION:
LMU 8: Whitefish Wetlands
Sub-unit #8C: Porcupine River
Land Use Designation
Integrated Management Area, Zone I
Land Status
Yukon public land and VGFN Settlement land (VG R-07A, R-12A, S-11A/D and S-13A/D)
Traditional Territories
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
Area
301 km2 (0.5% of Region)
Biophysical Setting (LMU 8)
Setting
Large wetland and riparian complex within rolling Eagle Plains plateau.
Ecoregions
Eagle Plains.
Bioclimatic Zones
Taiga Wooded.
Habitat Types
Low elevation wet herb, shrub and coniferous forest; variety of wetland types, riparian and open water.
Watersheds
Porcupine River (perched wetlands flow to Porcupine, Eagle and Bell rivers).
Image Explanation
Central Whitefish wetlands complex, LMU #8A (CWS photo)
Cumulative Effects Thresholds
Relative to LMU Size*
Surface Disturbance (%)
Linear Disturbance (km/km2)
Current disturbance (2020)
0.135
0.213
Cautionary
0.075
0.075
Critical
0.100
0.100
On the ground amounts**
Surface Disturbance (km2)
Linear Disturbance (km)
Current disturbance (2020)
0.41
64.2
Room under cautionary threshold***
-0.18
-41.6
Cautionary
0.23
22.6
Critical
0.30
30.1
*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 general use area during fall rutting and winter seasons.
Moose
Significant habitats in all seasons.
Marten
High winter habitat values.
Sheep
No sheep populations.
Fish
Identified and potential over-wintering habitat in Porcupine River, Johnson Creek and adjacent lakes.
Other Species
Significant bear, waterbird and beaver habitats.
Wetlands and Lakes
Most of unit contains off-channel wetland and lake habitats.
Riparian Areas
Unit contains some of the best examples of productive riparian habitats in region.
Major River Corridors
Porcupine River
Heritage, Social and Cultural Resources
VGFN Heritage Routes and Sites
Whitestone Village to Johnson Creek Village and Old Crow to Johnson Creek Village via White Snow Mountain. Important traditional use and culturally significant area for both VGFN and Tetlit Gwich’in.
Other Heritage and Historic Resources
Documented archaeological sites. Historic fur trade era Johnson Creek Village.
Current Community Use Areas
Porcupine River receives seasonal use (summer and winter).
Economic Development
Transportation and Access
Old Crow winter road crosses Porcupine River at Anik Island.
Traditional Economy
Multi-season subsistence harvesting and general land use.
Tourism and Recreation
Low activity. Porcupine River has high wilderness tourism value and interest. Johnson Creek Village identified as potential future tourism node.
Oil and Gas Resources
High potential; Eagle Plain oil and gas basin.
Mineral Resources
Low or no potential.
Aggregate (Gravel) Resources
No identified resources; river gravels may provide potential source.
Special Management Considerations
- In the IMA, Zone I designation identifies high ecological and cultural values within a sensitive biophysical setting. All-season infrastructure is discouraged.
- Johnson Creek Village is important VGFN cultural and heritage resource.
- Existing routing of Old Crow winter road should be maintained.
- Regionally significant and rare riparian mixed-wood forests occur in unit.