Planning Process and Partners

The development of this management plan for sheep in the North Richardson Mountains began in June 2005. Figure 74 on Plate 19 shows the location of the sheep population. Organizations and governments from the Northwest Territories and the Yukon met in Dawson City to discuss concerns about declining numbers, current research, and the principles and objectives for managing the population that is shared among various communities in the two territories. Elders, youth, and community members are an important part of the plan and were represented by the different groups at the meeting. The plan partners were determined and include the following governments, co-management boards, and councils (Appendix C):

1. Vuntut Gwich’in Government (VGG),

2. Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC),

3. North Yukon Renewable Resources Council (NYRRC),

4. Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board (GRRB),

5. Inuvialuit Game Council (IGC),

6. Ehdittat Gwich’in Renewable Resources Council (EGRRC),

7. Tetlit Gwich’in Renewable Resources Council (TGRRC),

8. Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee (AHTC),

9. Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope) (WMAC),

10. Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board (YFWMB),

11. Yukon Government (YG), and

12. Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT).

The plan partners decided a smaller group was needed to develop a draft plan that would come back to all the partners for review and approval. Terms of Reference were developed for the working group (Appendix A) and members were chosen (Appendix B). The Working Group produced a timeline for completion and approval of the plan by all partners. The group agreed that conservation of the sheep population was the highest management priority. The working group hired Bob Hayes, an independent facilitator, to lead workshops and draft the plan. The group held three workshops in 2006 to develop the plan objectives and actions and assign tasks to various partners to complete. Workshops were held March 14 – 16 in Inuvik, October 13 – 15 in Aklavik, and October 27 – 29 in Inuvik. All workshops were open to the public. The plan partners assigned a technical team to draft a management plan that would come back to all the partners for review and approval. The Working Group wrote this draft plan using the principles of consensus agreement.

Goal

Dall sheep in the North Richardson Mountains and their habitats should be managed to:

1. ensure long-term conservation by making sure human activities do not diminish sheep numbers or reduce the ability of the land to support sheep in the future; and

2. provide for traditional and other uses of sheep that benefit all people.

Principles Guiding the Plan

As set out in the terms of reference, this management plan shall:

1. Be guided by and implement the principles of conservation which are:

A. the maintenance of the natural balance of ecological systems;

B. the protection of wildlife habitat; and

C. the maintenance of vital, healthy wildlife populations capable of sustaining harvesting needs.

2. Recognize and protect the rights of aboriginal users, while recognizing other harvesters and non-consumptive uses.

3. Recognize the Dall sheep population as shared among many management Parties in the Northwest Territories and Yukon Territory.

4. Recognize the need for improved communication and better sharing of decisions among Parties.

5. Be guided by and implement the Precautionary Principle: In the absence of complete information, where there are threats of serious or irreparable damage, the lack of complete certainty shall not be a reason for postponing reasonable conservation measures.

6. Make full use of the best available scientific and traditional knowledge.

7. Recognize and respect differences and similarities in approach to the collection and analysis of Traditional Knowledge and scientific information.

8. Recognize the connection of the Dall sheep with other components of the physical, biological, and cultural environment.

9. Be guided by past, present, and future experiences, knowledge, and values of northern peoples.

Background

The importance and use of Traditional Knowledge and science in this plan

Traditional Knowledge and science are equally valued and used in this plan. Regional communities of Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Inuvik, and Old Crow were all involved in the information gathering about sheep and the development of plan recommendations and actions. Many of the ideas about what makes sheep increase and decline in North Richardson Mountains come from long-term observation and knowledge of local people. Careful monitoring of sheep should include regular scientific counts by government, as well as on-the-land projects that monitor harvest, disturbance, and population health and trend. The management actions outlined in this plan will continue to use Traditional Knowledge, local knowledge, and science to guide sheep conservation in the North Richardson Mountains.

Dall Sheep in the North Richardson Mountains – a brief summary of the status

Population counts of Dall sheep in the North Richardson Mountains have been done periodically by helicopter survey since 1984. Figure 1 shows the survey blocks flown. The Sitichinli block was added after consultation with the Tetlit Gwitchin in 1997, but to date, no sheep have been seen there during counts in June or August. The numbers of sheep increased from low levels in the mid 1980’s to a high of almost 1600 in 1997 (Figure 2). Since then the population has decreased to 704 animals (2006). The population decline appears to be stabilizing (Figure 2).

Productivity is the number of lambs per 100 nursery sheep (ewes and yearlings). The trend in productivity determined from the aerial surveys is shown in Figure 3. Productivity of sheep can be very variable but it is generally considered that above 25 lambs per 100 ewes indicates the population is growing; below indicates a decline.

The Yukon harvest is small. In the last three years, there is no reported harvest for the Vuntut Gwich’in. Anecdotal information indicates a minimum of 11 sheep were taken in the last 12 years. Since 2004, the Yukon government has issued two resident hunting permits for rams on the Yukon side of the North Richardson Mountains annually.

In the NWT, there is only subsistence harvesting from this population. Current harvest information is not available for the whole population. Reported harvest in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region from 1987 through 1997 was less than two sheep per year (1995 – 1999), ranging from one to 14 sheep. In recent years some NWT subsistence hunters have harvested rams for meat and sold their cape and horns. The Aklavik HTC harvest study (2001 – 2006) indicates a small annual harvest (average 1.3, range 0-4).

Current information indicates that harvest is limited, although there are some concerns about unreported harvest in recent years. Other factors potentially regulating this population include, but are not limited to, predation, parasites and diseases, over-grazing, and competition with other species. This plan sets out monitoring and management actions that will help to assess the impact of each factor on Dall sheep in the North Richardson Mountains and to ensure the long-term viability of this population.

Management Elements, Objectives, and Actions

This section describes the elements, objectives, and actions for the management of Dall sheep in the North Richardson Mountains. Objectives are achieved through task-oriented activities that partners commit to completing in the first five years of the plan. The task schedule includes early (first two years), mid (around third year), and late (fourth or fifth year) in the plan. Refer to Planning Process and Partners (page i) for abbreviated names of plan partners that will complete tasks.

Five plan elements have been identified:

1. Element 1 describes how the sheep population should be monitored.

2. Element 2 deals with the harvesting of sheep.

3. Element 3 outlines how key sheep habitats should be managed.

4. Element 4 describes how communities and governments should be informed about sheep management.

5. Element 5 addresses how the plan partners cooperate to ensure objectives are met.

Element 1: Population Monitoring

Objective: Monitor sheep population to ensure conservation

To best manage Dall sheep in the North Richardson Mountains we need to maintain an understanding of changing information, such as how many sheep live there and what makes the population go up and down. Key factors that influence sheep elsewhere include weather, predators, range conditions, disease, parasites, hunting, and other human activities.

Action 1: Complete status report

In order to make informed management decisions, it is necessary to write a status report that summarizes all that is currently known about Dall sheep in the North Richardson Mountains. The status report will also identify gaps in the knowledge and help determine research priorities. The report will be organized under the same headings (elements) as this plan. It will be a plain language document for all partners to use. The status report will include scientific information and local and Traditional Knowledge about sheep in the North Richardson Mountains.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Complete draft of status report	YG, GNWT, GRRB VGG will provide what information they have to date All partners	Early
Review draft report	YG, GNWT, GRRB, VGG	Early
Add any revisions	YG, GNT, GRRB, VGG	Early
Renew and update status report before management plan is renewed	YG, GNWT, GRRB, VGG	Late

Action 2: Monitor population size at appropriate intervals

It is important to know how many animals are in the population. Monitoring the population size over time provides long-term trends in the number of sheep.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Monitor population size by counting all sheep by helicopter	GNWT, YG, GRRB	June every 3-5 years
Meet with communities before the next count to ensure that all areas that sheep live in are included	GNWT, YG, GRRB, All RRCs, AHTC	Before next aerial count
Change names of the survey blocks to traditional names so local people will understand where sheep are being counted	GNWT, YG, GRRB, All RRCs, AHTC	Before next aerial count

Action 3: Monitor lamb survival and composition and population change – (see Action 6)

We can predict if sheep numbers are stable or if they are going up or down based on changes in the sex and age composition from year to year. This method of estimating sheep numbers is especially important in years between helicopter counts. A community-based monitoring program could be used to monitor composition and other aspects of the sheep population (See Action 4).

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Monitor lamb survival and ratio of ewes: rams and ewes: nursery sheep	GNWT, YG, GRRB	From aerial count every 3-5 years
Have local people that are on the land count the number of ewes, lambs, and rams to determine how well the population is reproducing each year	The Locals	Early and every year

Action 4: Design a community-based monitoring project

There is a lot of information about sheep that can be collected by people as part of their on-the-land activities. This is the least expensive way to monitor sheep but it is the most difficult to set up and maintain. The community-based monitoring project needs to be very well designed and include all Renewable Resources Councils and the AHTC for it to work well.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Design a community-based program that includes composition, lamb survival, kill locations, habitat use, and harvest	All partners, but coordinator RRCs and AHTC with main focus on hunters on-the-land	Early
Consult with each community and set up effective monitoring program, including school camp	RRCs and AHTC coordinators with GRRB, GNWT, YG, and VGG support	Early
Collect additional information and Traditional Knowledge to indicate population trend	RRCs and AHTC coordinators with GRRB, GNWT, YG, and VGG support	Mid to Late

Action 5: Establish indicators that show if the sheep population is having problems

Information collected during the population surveys and during community monitoring can be used to predict the population trends. There needs to be an agreement reached on the indicators to be used to predict population trend in the years between aerial counts.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Establish list of indicators of sheep population having problems	YG, GNWT, GRRB, VGG	Early
Determine acceptable criteria for establishing trends	All partners	Early to Mid

Action 6: Alter population monitoring frequency based on population size and trend

The schedule for monitoring the population will depend on how low sheep numbers are and if numbers continue to fall or not. The governments of the Northwest Territories and the Yukon are responsible for conducting counts as outlined to determine population size. Community monitoring and indicators established (See Action 5) will determine the population trends between counts. Actions 7-9 are intended to provide ongoing baseline information about sheep. Should the population fall to these low levels, studies to determine the causes of the decline should be developed and reviewed. Ways to help recovery of the population should be based on the best available research. Monitoring schedules depend on how low the sheep population could fall. A population of more than 500 sheep is considered to be at low risk, but if numbers fall lower, monitoring is more intense, and harvest becomes more restricted (See Element 2 under Harvest). Fewer than 350 sheep is considered to be critically low and aerial counts are increased.

BELOW 500 SHEEP AND NOT DECLINING FURTHER	BELOW 500 SHEEP AND STILL DECLINING	BELOW 350 SHEEP
If the population falls below 500 sheep (not including lambs) and the community monitoring system shows the population is not declining further, then population counts will be every three years. Ensure accurate harvest monitoring and lamb survival is collected annually.	If the population falls below 500 sheep (not including lambs) and the community monitoring system shows the population is still declining, then population counts will be every two years. Ensure accurate harvest monitoring and lamb survival is collected annually.	If the population drops below 350 sheep, then the survey will be repeated in the next year and every two years after. Ensure lamb survival is collected annually.

Action 7: Study the importance of natural predation on sheep population, including golden eagles, bears, wolves, and wolverines

Predation, particularly on lambs, can have a significant impact on sheep population dynamics. A predation study was started in 2006 as a result of community concerns.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Continue ecology study of Dall sheep and their predators on Black Mountain ensuring collar location information is confidential and stationary collars are investigated in a timely manner	GRRB, GNWT, University of Alberta	2006-2009

Action 8: Study the effects of disease and parasites on sheep population

Monitoring the prevalence of disease and parasites is an important indicator of the long-term health of the population. Climate change may cause an increase in the number of parasites or a change in the types of parasites present.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Collect samples from sick or diseased animals to determine cause	Hunters collect incidentally, GNWT, YG provide timely results	Ongoing
Long-term monitoring if trends in disease and parasites	GRRB, GNWT, YG with hunters and collaborating university lab	Every 5-10 years Late in this plan

Action 9: Study the genetics of North

Richardson sheep

The addition of genetic information from Richardson Mountain and Ivvavik sheep to the data already collected from other parts of the Yukon, NWT, and Alaska will provide knowledge about the genetic variability of northern sheep and how North Richardson sheep are related to other populations.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Compare genetics of North Richardson Mountain sheep to other populations	GNWT, YG, and collaborating laboratory	Mid

Element 2: Harvest

Objective: Harvest should be sustainable and not cause the population to decline

Vuntut Gwich’in, Edhittat, Tetlit Gwich’in, and Inuvialuit hunters traditionally harvest sheep in the Richardson Mountains. There is also a small harvest by residents of the Yukon. In order to ensure harvesting is not impacting the population, we need estimates of the number and sex and age of all sheep harvested. Harvesters need to understand they play a key role in our understanding of the health, and can impact the population, particularly when numbers are low.

Action 1: Design and implement an effective, affordable, and reliable harvest monitoring and enforcement system for all users

Sheep numbers have declined in the past years and there is a need to ensure that hunting does not cause a further decline. Getting a good estimate of the number of animals taken by all hunters each year is essential to good harvest management but is most important when the population is low.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Review harvest monitoring projects used in NWT and Yukon Territory, and provide list of necessary information to collect	YG	Early
Evaluate harvest monitoring designs and recommend one for sheep	GRRB, YG, GNWT, AHTC, RRCs	Early
Recommend appropriate harvest monitoring design for sheep	AHTC, all RRCs with help from GRRB, YG, GNWT, VGG	Early
Implement harvest monitoring program	AHTC, all RRCs with from GRRB, YG, GNWT, VGG	Early
Implement harvest conservation measures to limit harvest as outlined based on population size	All partners, including recommendation letter to appropriate Minister	When required

Action 2: Alter harvest management based on population size and trend

Managing harvest is one of the first things that can be done should sheep numbers fall to very low levels in the next five years. Hunting restrictions become stronger the lower the population is. All efforts should be made to make sure sheep numbers remain above 500 animals so harvest restrictions are not needed. All harvest including subsistence should be stopped if numbers fall below 350 sheep. These thresholds also determine changes to the population monitoring schedules (See Action 6 above).

POPULATION FALLS TO BETWEEN 500-350 ANIMALS	POPULATION FALLS BELOW 350 ANIMALS	POPULATION INCREASES ABOVE 350 ANIMALS
Subsistence harvest is voluntarily closed and all other hunting is closed	All hunting stops by legislation	The legislated closure of subsistence harvest is immediately lifted and subsistence harvest returns to a voluntary closure

Action 3: Evaluate harvesting opportunity for resident and commercial outfitting in the North Richardson Mountains

A Population Viability Analysis (PVA) on this sheep population should be done. It can estimate the likelihood of the herd increasing, decreasing, or staying the same under different ecological conditions. This modeling analysis starts at different population sizes and projects how viable the population might be. This evaluation needs to be completed to review the sustainability of current and future harvest plans. It might also change the thresholds of 500 and 350 animals that are set in this plan. There then needs to be an agreed upon criteria to allocate harvest fairly when the population can sustain non-subsistence harvest. A small resident permit hunt happens annually on the Yukon side, and some people are interested in commercial guiding of sheep hunts on the NWT side. There is also significant opposition to any change from subsistence use in some communities.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Complete a Population Viability Analysis of hunting at different possible herd sizes and provide this information to users	GRRB, YG, GNWT	Early June 2007
Consult with community groups on allocation of harvest above subsistence when population is above 500	GRRB, VGG, GTC, IGC, WMAC, [NS], YG, GNWT	June to August 2007
Provide recommendation on allocation of harvest above subsistence based on community consulations	GRRB, GTC, IGC, WMAC, [NS], YG, GNWT	October 2007

Action 4: Develop system for collecting biological samples provided by hunters

Biological samples can help us understand factors that influence sheep population, performance, and health. We can learn a lot about the physical condition of sheep by encouraging hunters to provide samples of sick animals they harvest. We can also monitor the long-term health of sheep by developing a detailed schedule for collecting other scientific samples.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Review literature to determine important sheep health issues which can affect the population	YG, GNWT, GRRB	Early
Recommend design to use to collect samples from hunters to monitor condition, diseases, health, and parasite effects on the population	GRRB, YG	Mid to Late
Continue to collect samples from sick or diseased animals to monitor health and provide feedback to hunters	GNWT	Ongoing

Action 5: Improve hunter understanding of sheep in North Richardson Mountains and the effects of harvest population dynamics

It is important for hunters to understand that what they do impacts the population. Hunters need to know what has been decided in this plan and the role they play. Key issues for hunters to understand include legal rights, voluntary restrictions, taking animals for trophy sale, the wastage of meat, wounding of animals, and traditional ethics – for example, taking only what you need.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Talk to hunters about sheep management and the plan	GRRB as part of EcoAction capacity building project, YG, VGG with NYRRC	Workshop conducted in each community [2007], pamphlets [Mid]
Explain what this plan means to the hunters, using pamphlet, poster, and radio	GNWT, GRRB, YG, VGG, RRCs, AHTC	At same time as plan is released
Conduct a hunter education program in Old Crow, focusing on sheep in the North Richardson Mountains	VGG, NYRRC work with YG	Early
Determine if there is a trend in the number of North Richardson sheep horns that have been plugged in recent years	GNWT	Early

Element 3: Habitat

Objective: Key habitats of Dall sheep should be conserved, and human activities should not reduce the ability of the range to
support sheep

Sheep in the North Richardson Mountains are one of the most northern populations in the world. These arctic mountains support some of the least productive sheep range, making the sheep population highly vulnerable to range disturbance and habitat loss. There needs to be great care and attention given to sheep to ensure that human activities do not reduce the ability of the land the support the sheep.

Action 1: Design an effective, affordable, and reliable system for monitoring sheep range and

key habitats

Monitoring the range sheep rely on will provide indications of changes and potential impact on the population. We need to review the information and recommend projects that will monitor appropriate things to address the key risks.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Review literature to evaluate key risks to sheep range such as climate change, overgrazing, and competition with other species	GRRB, YG, GNWT	Early
Evaluate and recommend habitat monitoring projects	GRRB, YG, GNWT	Late

Action 2: Map key habitats and vegetation of sheep range in the North Richardson Mountains

A system that contains all the information about the habitat and vegetation in the Richardson Mountains would allow us to monitor and evaluate human impacts on the sheep and their range. A lot of information exists but needs to be brought into one place in a format that is easily used. Once collected we need to evaluate the information and determine if we think we need to collect more information.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Develop standard steps to release new, sensitive information (for example: salt lick locations)	VGG-Heritage, GRRB, YG in consultation with RRCs and AHTC	Early
Review and collect key habitat information based on scientific studies and integrate with Traditional Knowledge information (include trails) in a protected GIS database and bring back to working group	GNWT, VGG, YG	Early
Hold mapping workshop in communities to review scientific and Traditional Knowledge about key sheep habitats	GNWT, GRRB, YG	Late if workshop is required
Collect vegetation information from previous research in North Richardson and evaluate if information helps understand sheep range	GRRB, GNWT, YG	Early

Action 3: Evaluate the potential effects of muskoxen and moose on sheep range use

Concerns have been expressed in the communities about the impacts of muskoxen and moose on sheep and sheep range. More information and monitoring are needed to address these concerns.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Collect as much information as possible about muskoxen and moose on Dall sheep range	GRRB and other collaborators	Ongoing
Evaluate the risk to sheep and sheep habitat	GRRB and other collaborators	Ongoing
Present results to community	GRRB and other collaborators	Ongoing

Action 4: Evaluate and reduce the effects of access and disturbance by human activities on sheep range use

We need to review the type and amount of human activities that are currently allowed and are happening in the Richardson Mountains. We also need to develop and use best practice guidelines when evaluating proposed human activities on sheep range to help reduce the impacts on sheep.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Review current land-use plans, Community Conservation Plans, and evaluate effects of access, tourism, and industrial development on sheep range use	VGG - North Yukon Land Use Plan GRRB - Gwich’in Land Use Plan AHTC - Community Conservation Plan	Ongoing Early Early
Develop best practices guidelines to mitigate effects of human activities on sheep and sheep range	YG All partners review	Early
Review best practices guidelines with stakeholders	All partners	Early
Use best practice guidelines when doing environmental assessments on proposals on or near sheep range	VGG, YG, NYRCC [North Yukon], GRRB, AHTC, RRCs, GNWT	Ongoing

Action 5: Recognize that tourism is a potential activity and work to ensure tourism does not conflict with other activities and interests

Tourism is a potential activity on sheep range. In order to ensure there is no conflict with other activities including aboriginal harvesting, partners need to let all parties know about proposed activities and guidelines on where and when sheep watching would be allowed and should be developed.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Discuss community interest in any sheep viewing projects with all partners	All parties	Ongoing
Identify where and when to consider sheep viewing activity	GRRB, VGG, IGC, AHTC, RRCs	Late

Element 4: Education and Information Exchange

Objective: Communities in the region should be well informed about the Dall sheep population in the North Richardson Mountains

The successful management of sheep requires that communities that use sheep be knowledgeable and up-to-date about how the population is doing from year to year and what the most important factors are that affect the trend in numbers each year.

Action 1: Educate youth in the region about sheep biology and management in the North Richardson Mountains

It is important to provide information to youth about sheep including Traditional Knowledge, biology, hunting practices, and the management plan. Involving youth in research and monitoring programs will help to ensure long-term conservation of the resource.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Develop hunter education project for young people interested in hunting sheep	YG, GNWT, in cooperation with all partners	Late
Develop education modules about sheep including Traditional Knowledge and an on-the-land component in regional schools Invite other partners to participate	YFWMB community steward with YG [Education and Environment)	Early
Include opportunities for youth to participate in sheep research and community monitoring projects	YG, GNWT, GRRB, VGG, All RRCs, AHTC	Ongoing
Encourage sheep researchers to visit the schools and talk to youth about research and management issues	All partners	Ongoing

Action 2: Collect and share information about sheep natural history and cultural relationship

Collecting and sharing all forms of knowledge about sheep including community knowledge, understanding of sheep biology, and how people have managed their use of sheep in the past will enhance the appreciation and conservation of the resource.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Share archived information about sheep natural history and cultural relationships	VGG, GNWT, GRRB, Gwich’in Cultural Institute	Mid
Conduct elder interviews	VGG, GRRB, Gwich’in Scolia and Cultural Institute, all RRCs, IRC, AHTC	Mid to Late

Action 3: Inform the communities about sheep management plan and research programs

It is essential that communities understand the management plan recommendations and why research is done. Possible information tools include newsletters, posters, reports, websites, public meetings, RRC and AHTC meetings, and the Yukon Fish and Game Association newsletter. There is a need to ensure the message is consistent to all of the Yukon and Northwest Territories public. Sharing materials between partners saves time, increases efficiency, and provides a consistent message.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Inform the communities about sheep management and research projects	All partners	Ongoing as needed
Share informational materials between all partners to allow for consistent messages	All partners	Ongoing

Element 5: Cooperation

Objective: Improve the communication, cooperation, and sharing of management responsibilities for Dall sheep in the North Richardson Mountains

In the spirit of the terms of reference of the Working Group (Appendix A), all partners should be consulted and involved in decisions about this shared resource. In the past, decisions by government Ministers were made without consultation with all partners, and difficulties and distrust resulted.

Action 1: Implement the plan in a manner that improves cooperation among partners

The primary tool for improving cooperation will be consultation. Consultation in this plans means: (a) the provision of, to the party to be consulted, notice of a matter to be decided in sufficient form and detail to allow that party to prepare its views on the matter; (b) the provision of a reasonable period in which the party to be consulted may prepare its views on the matter, and provision of an opportunity to present such views to the party obliged to consult; and (c) full and fair consideration by the party obliged to consult of any views presented. This extends beyond the legal requirements and includes all partners (Appendix C).

TASK	WHO	WHEN
Consultation on sheep management must include all partners listed in Appendix C	All partners	Ongoing
Management decisions should be by consensus whenever possible	All partners	Ongoing
Plan actions will be delivered by the implementation Team [partners with actions] [Figure 77]	Implementation Team	Upon approval of the plan - ongoing

Action 2: The plan will be implemented and renewed in a timely and effective manner

In order to ensure the action items in the plan are completed, the implementation team (Appendix B) will need to work together and review the plan annually. This plan is a working document that will need to be renewed and updated on a regular basis. The recommended period is five years, but the plan will continue to be in effect until renewed.

TASK	WHO	WHEN
The Implementation Team will annually review the action items and inform communities	Implementation Team - GNWT lead Year 1	Annual
The plan should be renewed in five years	Implementation Team [Working Group function]	5 years after approval

Appendix A – Terms of Reference of the Technical Working Group

North Richardson Mountain’s Dall Sheep Management Plan Working Group Terms of Reference

WHEREAS the North Richardson Mountain Dall sheep (NRMDS) historically move between the Northwest Territories and the Yukon;

AND WHEREAS the continued well-being of this population and the maintenance of their habitat requires coordinated and collaborative management, goodwill, and cooperation between the two territories;

AND WHEREAS it is recognized that, as well as the value of the Dall sheep to Canadians generally, a special relationship exists between the aboriginal users and this population;

A Working Group be established as per these terms of reference.

“North Richardson Mountains Dall Sheep” means those Dall sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) that regularly use that portion of the Richardson Mountains as identified on the map in Appendix A, and historically move back and forth between the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

“Habitat” means the whole or any part of the biosphere upon which the North Richardson Mountains Dall sheep population depends, including all of the land, water, and air that it inhabits, crosses, or utilizes at any time.

“Consultation” means the provision, to the party to be consulted, of notice of a matter to be decided in sufficient form and detail to allow that party to prepare its views on the matter; the provision of a reasonable period of time in which the party to be consulted may prepare its views on the matter; the provision of an opportunity to present such views to the party obliged to consult; and full and fair consideration by the party obliged to consult of any views presented.

B. Objectives

As set out in the terms of reference, this management plan shall:

1. Recognize and protect the rights of aboriginal users as set out in the Umbrella Final Agreement, the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim, and the Inuvialuit Final Agreement while providing appropriate access and recognition to other lawful harvests and non-consumptive uses.

2. To recommend to the appropriate responsible parties a five year management plan for the North Richardson Mountains Dall sheep population and its habitat in accordance with the principles set out in section E below.

3. To recommend a process of shared responsibility for the implementation of the plan.

4. To promote and strengthen communication and sharing of information among all groups interested in or affecting the management of the North Richardson Mountain Dall sheep population and their habitat.

C. Membership of the Working Group

The working group will be composed of one representative from each of the following:

1. The Department of Environment (YTG)

2. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (GNWT)

3. Vuntut Gwich’in Government Natural Resources Department Gwich’in Tribal Council

4. North Yukon Renewable Resources Council

5. Gwich’in Renewable Resource Board

6. Inuvialuit Game Council

7. Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board

8. Wildlife Management Advisory Council (NS)

Each member may choose an alternate to participate in the event the representative is not available. Members and alternates shall be knowledgeable and willing and able to bring forward the interests and opinions of their constituents and, in turn, provide information and feedback from the Working Group to their constituents. The YTG and GNWT shall be responsible for representation of the public interest and groups without membership on the Working Group such as outfitters, industry, and environmental organizations.

D. Working Group Responsibilities

The Working Group shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

1. To prepare a work plan, including at minimum:

A. a detailed task list;

B. a schedule;

C. a budget; and

D. provisions for consultation and communications.

2. To prepare, within one year, a draft plan for the conservation and management of the North Richardson Mountains Dall sheep and their habitat. The Management Plan shall address, but is not limited to the following:

A. monitoring the status of the population and its habitat;

B. habitat management and conservation;

C. research priorities;

D. standardized data collection and presentation;

E. sustainable harvest of this population;

F. guidelines for regulating methods of harvest;

G. a process for implementation of the plan; and

H. a process for review and revision of the plan.

3. To review and compile public and community consultations needed to obtain meaningful input for plan preparation and to report to users on its findings and progress

4. To recommend the draft Management Plan to appropriate responsible parties for review, approval, and implementation

E. Principles Guiding Development of the Management Plan

The Management Plan shall:

1. Be guided by and implement the principles of conservation which are:

A. the maintenance of the natural balance of ecological systems;

B. the protection of wildlife habitat; and

C. the maintenance of vital, healthy wildlife populations capable of sustaining lawful harvesting needs.

2. Recognize and protect the rights of aboriginal users while recognizing other lawful harvesters and non-consumptive uses.

3. Be guided by and implement the Precautionary Principle: In the absence of complete information, where there are threats of serious or irreparable damage, lack of complete certainty shall not be a reason for postponing reasonable conservation measures.

4. Make full use of the best available scientific and Traditional Knowledge.

5. Recognize and respect differences and similarities in approach to Traditional Knowledge and scientific data collection and analysis.

6. Recognize the interconnection of the Dall sheep with other components of the physical, biological, and cultural environment.

7. Be guided by past, present, and future experiences, knowledge, and Gwich’in values of North peoples.

F. Working Group Rules and Procedures

1. The Working Group will establish from time to time rules and procedures for its functioning, including among other things that:

A. a facilitator will be used to chair and facilitate meetings of the Working Group;

B. decisions of the Working Group will be made by consensus (to be defined by the Working Group);

C. where consensus cannot be reached and where appropriate, the dissenting view will be included along with the majority view;

D. the Working Group will keep minutes and records of all its meetings, circulate them amongst its members, and make them available to the public;

E. the proceedings of the Working Group will be open to the public;

F. the Working Group will make use of teleconferences to conduct business whenever appropriate;

G. meetings will be held in communities or locations within or immediately adjacent to North Richardson Mountains Dall Sheep range whenever possible; and

H. public comments and presentations will be encouraged.

2. Any disputes regarding the interpretation or implementation of this TOR will be resolved by the participants only.

G. Funding for the Working Group

1. All parties will be responsible for expenses of their representatives and/or alternates on the Working Group.

2. The YTG and GNWT will, subject to the terms and conditions of this TOR and to funds being appropriated by their respective legislative authorities, provide funds necessary to ensure that the Working Group is able to function in the manner as stated above.

3. For greater certainty, the YTG and GNWT will provide for facilitation, meeting facilities, translation and interpretation (if required), and secretariat support.

H. General

1. All reports, summaries, or other documentation prepared or otherwise completed under these TOR will become the joint property of all members of the Working Group.

2. This TOR will be terminated once the five-year plan has been recommended to the appropriate parties.

3. This TOR may be extended or amended with the unanimous approval of the parties hereto.

4. This TOR is without prejudice to any:

A. rights or responsibilities of each of the governments with respect to consideration and approval of the Management Plan prepared by the Working Group; or

B. existing Aboriginal or treaty rights of any party to the TOR.

5. In recognition of the importance of this population of Dall Sheep and its habitat, the decision not to accept these TOR or the withdrawal of any of the parties from these TOR will not preclude the remaining parties from continuing with the objectives and processes set out in the TOR.

Appendix B – North Richardson Sheep Technical Working Group

Who Developed the Plan

The individuals representing the members of the Working Group are dynamic. The table below lists who was in attendance for each organization at each meeting, The TOR states that the Working Group is comprised of one representative from each organization, however all meetings held were open to the public. Therefore, in addition to the Working Group members, a list of other attendees is included in the table.

Appendix C – Contact Information for Partners of the Plan

Acronym	WHO	Contact	Phone
VGG	Vuntut Gwitchin Government	Director of Lands and Resources	(867) 966-3261
GTC	Gwich’in Tribal Council	President	(867) 777-7900
NYRRC	North Yukon Renewable Resources Council	Chair	(867) 966-3034
GRRB	Gwich’in Renewable Resource Board	Chair	(867) 777-6600
IGC	Inuvialuit Game Council	Chair	(867) 777-2828
EGRRC	Edhittat Gwich’in Renewable Resources Council	President	(867) 978-2336
TGRRC	Tetlit Gwich’in Renewable Resources Council	President	(867) 952-2330
AHTC	Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee	President	(867) 978-2723
WMAC [NS]	Wildlife Management Advisory Council [North Slope]	Chair	(867) 633-5476
YFWMB	Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board	Chair	(867) 667-3754
YG	Yukon Government	Minister of Environment	(867) 667-5806
GNWT	Government of the NWT	Minister, Department of Environment and Natural Resources	(867) 669-2377