DCNR Designates 5 New State Forest Wild Areas, Over 50,000 Acres In 7 Counties

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the June 25 PA Bulletin it has designated 5 new wild areas as part of the State Forest Wild Area Program totalling 50,500 acres in Centre, Elk, Fayette, Mifflin, Pike, Potter and Union counties.

The areas include:

-- Hammersley Wild Area, Potter County: As part of the 2016 update of the State Forest Resource Management Plan, the Bureau of Forestry finalized approximately 30,000 acres in Susquehannock State Forest as the Hammersley Wild Area.  (Photo: MidAtlanticHikes.com)

This area, located in the Deep Valleys ecoregion, is the largest roadless area in this Commonwealth, providing opportunities for primitive recreation, as well as protecting exceptional value streams and native brook trout habitat.

Since it was proposed in the 2003 Plan, the area has been managed following the Wild Area guidelines in 17 Pa. Code Chapter 27 (relating to State Forest natural areas—statement of policy). A map of the final boundaries can be found online.

-- Penns Creek Wild Area, Centre, Mifflin, Union Counties: As part of the 2016 update of the Plan, the Bureau finalized approximately 6,200 acres in Bald Eagle State Forest as the Penns Creek Wild Area (3,810 acres area already designated as the White Mountain Wild Area; an additional 2,473 acres would be added to create the new Penns Creek Wild Area).

This area, located in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion, is characterized by its scenic stream corridor, riparian habitats, undeveloped nature and Nationally-recognized trout stream. Since it was proposed in the 2003 Plan, the area has been managed following the Wild Area guidelines. A map of the final boundaries can be found online.

-- Quebec Run Wild Area, Fayette County: As part of the 2016 update of the Plan, the Bureau finalized approximately 6,000 acres in Forbes State Forest as the Quebec Run Wild Area.

This area, located in the Allegheny Mountain ecoregion, is characterized by its wild character and high quality streams, and it is home to several rare and threatened species.

Since it was proposed in the 2003 Plan, the area has been managed following the Wild Area guidelines. A map of the final boundaries can be found online.

-- Square Timber/Big Run Wild Area, Elk County: As part of the 2016 update of the Plan, the Bureau finalized approximately 5,600 acres in Elk State Forest as the Square Timber/Big Run Wild Area.

This large, undeveloped area, located in the Deep Valleys ecoregion, provides opportunities for primitive recreation, as well as providing key habitat for many aquatic and terrestrial organisms.

Since it was proposed in 2003, the area has been managed following the Wild Area guidelines. A map of the final boundaries can be found online.

-- Stairway Wild Area, Pike County: As part of the 2016 update of the Plan, the Bureau finalized approximately 2,700 acres in Delaware State Forest as the Stairway Wild Area.

This area, located in the Glaciated Low Plateau ecoregion, provides opportunities for primitive recreation, supports a unique diversity of plant and animal species, and contains exceptional value streams.

Since it was proposed in 2003, the area has been managed following the Wild Area guidelines. A map of the final boundaries can be found online.

To find the locations of other wild and natural areas, visit DCNR’s State Parks and Forests Wild & Natural Areas GIS webpage.