Approval statement

This Interim Management Statement will provide interim direction for the management of Five Mile Lake Provincial Park until a comprehensive Park Management Plan is prepared.

This statement will provide the basis for the subsequent preparation of the Park Management Plan.

I am pleased to approve this Interim Management Statement for Five Mile Lake Provincial Park.

Signed by:
Tom Stott
Northeast Zone Manager
Ontario Parks

Background information

Name: Five Mile Lake
Classification: Recreation
Site Region/Site District: 4E3
OMNR Administrative Region/District: Northeast
Total Area (ha) Land : approx.256 Water: approx.200
Regulation: 1958- closed 1983

Targets

Earth science representation

geological theme feature
Abitibi Subprovince-dominated by high, sandy, gravelly outwash lacustrineplain with eskers and other ice contact deposits. Esker complex is the dominant landform. Postglacial Lake Sultan also influenced geomorphology.

Life science representation

site type/landscape unit species/communities
Missinaibi-Cabonga Section of Boreal Forest Region. Represents northern limit of Red & White Pine, Yellow Birch, Sugar Maple, Hemlock; Mixed Balsam Fir, Trembling Aspen, Spruce.

Cultural resourcere presentation

theme theme segment
N/A N/A

Recreation opportunities

day use car camping wilderness/interior
N/A N/A N/A

Inventories

level/type reconnaissance / completion date detailed completion date required?
earth science   1982  
life science   1983  
cultural      
recreational      
other      

Management guidelines

1.0 Land tenure

There are no alienated lands within park boundaries.

2.0 Land acquisition/disposal

There are no land acquisition or disposal proposals. The park offered camping and day-use opportunities until 1983, at which time it was closed due to low use. Alternative opportunities are available at nearby Wakami Lake and The Shoals Provincial Parks. Since the park has been closed for 11 years and there are no indications that it will ever be reopened, Five Mile Lake Provincial Park is being considered for deregulation. It would then be returned to crown land or sold. There are no provincially significant life or earth science features or cultural resources within the park.

3.0 Existing/proposed development

3.1 Access

In the past, access to Five Mile Lake Provincial Park has been via a 0.35 kilometre gravel road from Hwy 129, or from another gravel road formerly part of Hwy 129 which enters at the northern boundary of the park and follows south for one kilometre, dividing Unegam and White Bark Lakes. Campground and day-use areas could also be accessed via Five Mile Lake. To date, all signs advertisingthe park have been removed and the vehicle entrance has been gated to traffic. Some illegal vehicle entry does occur and the park is used for snowmobiling,hiking and boating.

3.1.1 Guidelines

3.1.1.1

Motor vehicles will be permitted access to White Bark and Red Bark Lakes, but will not be permitted access to the campground. The present gate will be moved to block the campground entrance.

3.1.1.2

Non-mechanized traffic will be permitted.

3.2 Development

Currently, there is only one small, non-operating campground with 45 sites (Marten Knoll Campground); a three kilometre self-guided trail (Varying Forest Trail) up the Fire Road between Red Bark and White Bark Lakes; a beach/picnic day-use area at the lakeshore; and a trailer dumping station opposite the park office. However, since the park is non-operating, none of this development is being used or maintained and is in a state of great disrepair. No new development is proposed.

3.2.1 Guidelines

3.2.1.1

A demobilization strategy will be written and all development will be removed from the park as soon as possible after approval of this IMS, as funds permit.

4.0 Recreational activities

4.1 Guidelines

4.1.1

Camping is not permitted within the park because of its closed status.

4.1.2

Unstructured recreation activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, and nature photography will continue to be permitted.

5.0 Commercial activities

5.1 Trapping

There are two traplines (CP-67, CP-68) located partially within the park boundaries. They have quotas for beaver, marten and lynx.

5.1.1 Guidelines

5.1.1.1

Licensed commercial trapping will be phased out of the park by January 1, 2010 except for trapping by Status Indians enjoying Treaty rights or when no application for renewal of the permit is received from the current permit holder.

5.1.1.2

Transfer of the existing traplines will only be allowed between or to Status Indians. Only Status Indian trapper’s helpers are permitted to assist Indian trappers.

5.1.1.3

No new traplines or trap cabins will be established in the park.

5.1.1.4

The transfer of traplines must be approved by the Ministry.

5.2 Mining

5.2.1 Guidelines

5.2.1.1

No mining activities, including prospecting, staking of mining claims, or development of mines will be permitted.

5.3 Forestry

5.3.1 Guidelines

5.3.1.1

Commercial timber harvesting activities will not be permitted.

5.3.1.2

Prescriptions for access, harvest, renewal and maintenance activities adjacent to the park will be developed during the timber management planning process for the Superior Forest, which includes full public consultation and a multi-disciplinary planning team. In general, prescriptions will recognize parks and park-related values that may be impacted by timber management activities. Examples of values are: water quality, fish and wildlife populations and habitats, vegetation species and communities, cultural features, and aesthetic qualities.

Timber management activities can impact these values through unplanned access, erosion, siltation, noise, loss of habitat or significant features, and eliminating natural areas that provide linkages to other natural areas. Specific prescriptions to protect parks and park related values will vary depending on terrain, tree species, noise, aesthetics, viewscape and access.

Areas of Concern will be designated adjacent to the park. Within these, timber management operationswill be conducted using a range of treatment options (i.e. reserves, modified harvesting). Daily/seasonaltiming of operations,spray buffers, road planning, requirements on work permits, and existing MNR guidelines (i.e. Fisheries and Water Quality, Moose Habitat, Stream Crossings) will also be used to protect known park values.

5.3.1.3

All primary and secondary roads constructed for harvesting operations will be kept at least 180 metres from park boundaries. Exceptionswill be reviewed in detail on a case by case basis.

6.0 Native interests

There are no current native interests in Five Mile Lake Provincial Park. However, the park lies within the Robinson-Superior Treaty #61 area. Status Indians enjoying treaty rights may use the park for subsistence purposes.

7.0 Natural resources

7.1 Vegetation

The vegetation within the park: is representative of that found throughout the Chapleau area. One species found in the park, Arenaria serphyllifolia (Thyme-leaved Speedwell)is considered rare in the Boreal Forest, but it is quite common in southern Ontario. Found commonly in the scirpus marshes of Five Mile Lake, Nymphaea odorato (Fragrant White Water Lily) is of regional significance since it is at the northern limit of its range at this longitude. Neither of these flora are considered provincially significant or warrant protection via a nature reserve zone. Both exist within other provincial parks in the Site District

7.1.1 Guidelines

7.1.1.1

Non-native species will not be introduced.

7.1.1.2

Limited personal consumption of berries and edible wild plants will be permitted.

7.1.1.3

Spraying of insecticides and herbicides will be permitted only under exceptional circumstances (e.g. when significant areas outside the park are threatened). Selective spraying may be permitted with environmentally acceptable substances in accordance with Ministry of the Environment and Energy guidelines.

7.1.1.4

Species threatened by spruce budworm will not be sprayed.

7.1.1.5

Spraying for biting insects is not permitted.

7.1.1.6

All wild fires will be suppressed.

7.2 Wildlife

Common mammals include: Moose, Mink, Marten, Beaver, Weasel, Fox, and Chipmunk. Black bear are present though infrequently seen. White-tailed Deer have not been seen in the park but may be present since deer have been seen in other nearby areas with similar habitat A small variety of amphibians and only one reptile (Garter Snake) are found in the park.

7.2.1 Guidelines

7.2.1.1

Animal populations may be controlled when it is essential to protect human health and safety, or the health of a species within or outside the park. When control is necessary, techniques will be used that have minimal effects on the balance of the resource base. Any hunting or trapping for management purposes will be carried out under the strict supervision of, or directly by, the Ministry of Natural Resources.

7.2.1.2

Any wildlife management initiatives which are proposed for the park must be consistent with provincial park policies.

7.2.1.3

Hunting is not permitted within park boundaries to ensure human safety and to minimize vandalism.

7.3 Fisheries

Fish species in Five Mile Lake include Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Walleye, and White Sucker. Red Bark Lake contains Brook Trout, and White Bark Lake contains both Brook and Rainbow Trout.

7.3.1 Guidelines

7.3.1.1

Sport fishing will continue to be permitted.

7.3.1.2

Commercial fishing, including commercial bait fishing will not be permitted in the park.

7.3.1.3

Management of the sport fishery will be consistent with the provisions of the Chapleau District Fisheries Management Plan.

7.4 Landforms

Five Mile Lake Provincial Park does not possess any earth science features of provincial or regional significance, and therefore does not contribute to the provincial parks representation objective. Existing features are related to glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine deposits and landforms.The features are representative but not unique to the region.

8.0 Cultural resources

There are no significantcultural resourcesat Five Mile Lake Provincial Park.

9.0 Natural heritage education

There is an information kiosk adjacent to the locked gate to inform visitors of alternative campgrounds, since no facilities or services are being offered at Five Mile Lake Provincial Park.

9.1 Guidelines

9.1.1

All signs and information about the park and others nearby will be removed along with the kiosk. Only signs stating "no motor vehicles "and "no hunting permitted" will remain.

10.0 Research

No research initiatives will be undertaken until the park’s status is decided. There are no current research needs.

11.0 Marketing

There is no marketing plan for Five Mile Lake Provincial Park because it is closed to visitors.

12.0 References

Brunton, D.F. (1983). A Reconnaissance Life Science Inventory of Five Mile Lake Provincial Park. OMNR, Northern Region, Cochrane.

Despault, M. (1984). Report on Future Management Options for the Use of Five Mile Lake Provincial Park. OMNR

McKenzie, D.I. et al. (1982). An Assessment of Earth Science Feature and Processes for Land Use Planning of Five Mile Lake Provincial Park. McKenzie McCulloch Associates: Waterloo, ON.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. (1980). A Framework for the Conservation of Ontario’s Biological Heritage.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. (1978). A Topical Organization of Ontario History. Toronto, ON: Historical Sites Branch, Division of Parks.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.(1989). Chapleau District Fisheries Management Plan, 1989-2000.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.(1983). Chapleau District Land Use Guidelines and Revisions.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.(1983). Five Mile Lake Provincial Park Background Document.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.(1985). Interim Management Statements (PM 11.02.0 1).

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.(1988). Ontario Provincial Parks Management Planning Reference.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. (1992). Ontario Provincial Parks: Planning and Management Policies, Staff Reference.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.(1984). Planning Manual: Provincial Parks Management Planning.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Superior Forest Management Inc. (1992). Superior Forest Timber Management Plan.