Wellgreen Project Preliminary Economic Assessment ... - OTCIQ.com

site until further discussion with the Government of Yukon have taken place to
determine appropriate disposal methods.
20.2.3 WILDLIFE AND V EGETATION
The Property is located in the Boreal Cordillera Ecozone, within the Kluane Range of
the Saint Elias Mountains ecoregion. This ecoregion contains vast ranges of ice
fields and high elevation mountain peaks, and is a combination of permanent ice and
snowfields with minor areas of rock outcrop, rubbly colluvium, and alpine tundra
vegetation. Vegetation consists of typical low growing heather, dwarf birch, willow,
grass and lichen. Wet areas surrounding water sources support cottonwood and
sedges (Ecological Stratification Working Group 1996).
Characteristic wildlife in the Saint Elias Mountains ecoregion includes caribou, grizzly
bear, Dall’s sheep, and mountain goat (Environment Canada 1995). At least 150
species of birds have been observed in Kluane National Park and Reserve, of which
118 nest in the park. Extensive mapping of wildlife habitat use has been conducted
within and around the Property (Figure 20.2 to Figure 20.7).
Habitat uses on the Property include:
• early winter habitat for thinhorn sheep
• all season habitat for mountain goat
• spring, summer and fall habitat for grizzly bear in areas on and surrounding
Property along the Donjek River, Maple Creek, and Wade Creek
• migration corridor, fall rut, and winter range for Woodland caribou (Kluane
and Aishihik herds)
• summer nesting habitat for Golden Eagle, Osprey (along Kluane River), Bald
Eagle (along Kluane River), waterfowl and Peregrine Falcon (southeast of
the Property).
Of the species listed above, the grizzly bear and the Woodland caribou (Northern
Mountain population, including the Kluane and Aishihik herds) have been identified
as Special Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Species in
Canada (COSEWIC). Woodland caribou (Northern Mountain population) are also
listed as Special Concern on Schedule 1 of the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA).
The Baikal sedge is the only plant species in Yukon considered threatened by
COSEWIC; it is also listed as threatened on Schedule 1 of SARA. The range of this
species overlaps with the Property; it is also known to occur in the Kluane National
Park and Reserve. The Baikal sedge occurs only on semi-stabilized or active sand
dunes (COSEWIC 2005).
Prophecy Platinum Corp. 20-4 1193460500-REP-R0001-02
Wellgreen Project Preliminary Economic Assessment,
Yukon, Canada