In the SRMP, why are there critical Caribou habitats that are closed to snowmobiling but not closed to Heli-skiing?
Heli-skiing is a commercially guided activity and the approved management plans for heli-ski operations include operational practices that avoid disturbance and dislocation of caribou everywhere, not only in the critical habitats that are closed to recreational snowmobiling. Recreational snowmobiling is more difficult to manage with respect to impacts on caribou because it is primarily an unguided activity. Noise and activity associated with snowmobiles can pose increased risks to the already endangered Mountain caribou populations.