Five Mile River Wilderness Area
Overview
Large forest patch with karst and river frontage
Ecological Values
Karst features (caves and sink holes)
Provincially significant bat hibernacula
At least 20 species of rare floodplain and calcareous plants
Habitat for nationally threatened and provincially vulnerable wood turtle
Some remnant old forest along the river
Opportunity to restore older forest within a region of highly disturbed woodlands
Representation of Shubenacadie River Hills Natural Landscape
Outdoor Recreation Values
Various recreation activities along Five Mile River
Likely hunting, some fishing
Forest Values
Much of the area was harvested since the 1980s.
Contains 35 km of access roads and 300 ha of young plantations, including some with exotic species
Small portion of area currently unavailable for forestry due to DNR old forest policy
Other Resource Values
High mineral potential
High petroleum potential.
The area overlaps with a regional agreement for petroleum exploration
Low wind potential
Conditions
Legal protection of this area will be delayed until 2020. Legal protection subject to addressing petroleum rights.
Exclusions and Vehicle Access
Potential road exclusions and OHV trail agreements subject to future planning and consultation.