Interim Woodcutting Restrictions In-Place Along Tłı̨chǫ highway

31 May, 2022

YELLOWKNIFE (May 31, 2022) – An interim agreement has been reached between the Tłı̨chǫ Government and the Government of the Northwest Territories to manage timber harvesting along the Tłı̨chǫ Highway (Highway 9) until a long-term forest management plan is developed.

This agreement will enable non-commercial wood harvesting to occur following a temporary moratorium that was in place during construction of the Tłı̨chǫ Highway— known as Highway 9.

This interim approach for harvesting is necessary as it is:

An area that is newly accessible by road
Home to sensitive habitats – including important areas for Boreal caribou
Home to cabins and trails used for traditional and cultural activities

Rules vary depending where you are along the road. However, no matter where you are:

No commercial wood-cutting other than trade permitted under the Tłı̨chǫ Land Claims and Self-government Agreement
A Specific permit for cutting wood on Highway 9 is required for all wood-cutting.

Below is a breakdown of the rules by kilometre (km). Kilometre markers begin once you turn onto the Tłı̨chǫ Highway from Highway 3.

Resident woodcutting

km 0-5
- Open for all residents with Highway 9 wood-cutting permits.
km 5-8
- No wood-cutting permits available.
km 8-12
- Open for all residents with Highway 9 wood-cutting permits (specific to km 8-12).
- Limit of 40 free timber cutting permits available for non-Indigenous harvesters.
- Permits valid for two months, with an option to renew for another two months.
- A maximum of five cords of wood can be cut per permit.
No cutting within 250m of marked trails.

Indigenous wood-cutting (km 0-75)

Km 0-75: Open for Indigenous harvesters with Highway 9 wood-cutting permits.
Avoid cabins by 500m and avoid active traplines and traditional trails.

Tłı̨chǫ Lands (beyond km 75)

Beyond km 75 are Tłı̨chǫ private lands, where wood-cutting is open only to Tłı̨chǫ Citizens, unless specific permission is granted by the Tłı̨chǫ Government.

Quote(s)

“The Government of the Northwest Territories is pleased to work collaboratively with the Tłı̨chǫ Government to ensure wise management of NWT forests. We look forward to continuing this partnership for years to come, and to working alongside the Wek’eezhii Renewable Resources Board to develop a long-term plan for the management of NWT forest resources.” - Shane Thompson, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources

“The Tłı̨chǫ Agreement created Wek’e ezhı ı as the area where our governments share responsibility for resource management. By working together and following the principles and processes in the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement, we can ensure Tłı̨chǫ rights are protected and forests are managed responsibly.” -Jackson Lafferty, Grand Chief, Tłı̨chǫ Government