The Gwich’in Land Use Plan establishes a zoning system that strives to achieve a balance between the conservation and use of land, water and resources to meet human needs. The system has three zones:

• General Use: All land uses are possible with approvals from the current regulatory system. The Land Use Plan imposes no conditions for proposed uses and activities in these areas (approximately 57% of the Settlement Area)
• Special Management: All land uses are permitted provided conditions outlined in the Land Use Plan are met and approvals through the regulatory system are obtained (approximately 33% of the Settlement Area)
• Conservation/Heritage Conservation: All uses related to oil and gas development, mineral and aggregate extraction, transportation, waste disposal, communication, power development and commercial renewable resource activities are not permitted (approximately 10% of the Settlement Area)