Walton River Wilderness Area
Overview
Over fourteen kilometers of corridor along Walton River between Walton and Shields Lake
Ecological Values
Several km of tidal river including salt springs and extensive area of rare undisturbed riparian salt marshes
Habitat for nationally threatened and provincially vulnerable wood turtle
Mixed forest of intolerant hardwoods and spruce and fir
Variety of ages of stands including large areas of recent harvesting
Representation in Walton River Clay Plain Natural Landscape
Outdoor Recreation Values
Bird watching
Fishing and hunting
Forestry Values
Mix of young forest with mature softwood and mixedwood
Several stands scattered through area clearcut between 1980s and 2005
Small portion of area unavailable for forestry due to DNR old forest policy
Other Resource Values
High mineral potential
Part of the area is licensed for mineral exploration
High petroleum potential
The area overlaps with a regional agreement for petroleum exploration
Low wind potential
Conditions
Legal protection subject to addressing petroleum rights