The Alberta government has recently eliminated habitat protections for the greater sage grouse, one of Canada’s most endangered species. This move, made through amendments to the Public Lands Act in July, removed protections in designated zones for the bird. Additionally, a helium extraction company, Thor Resources, received a new approval within the sage grouse habitat in the same month.
The greater sage grouse, classified as an endangered species by both the Alberta and federal governments, faces severe population decline with less than 100 birds remaining in Alberta. This decline is primarily attributed to habitat loss and industrial development, resulting in the species now occupying only about seven percent of its historical range.
University of Alberta ecology professor Mark Boyce, a longtime conservationist for the greater sage grouse, expressed concerns over the removal of provincial protections, stating that it directly endangers the remaining sage grouse population in Alberta. Boyce criticized the government’s decision, emphasizing the risk of losing Canada’s most endangered vertebrate species due to the lack of protection.
The province’s decision to lift habitat protections was defended by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas communications director Andrew Livingstone as a measure to simplify regulatory requirements and provide flexibility for proponents in southeastern Alberta. Livingstone highlighted ongoing support for a sage grouse recovery program focused on achieving a balance between conservation efforts and economic needs.
Joshua Killeen, from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, criticized the removal of habitat protections, emphasizing the detrimental impact on efforts to help the species recover. Killeen warned that without habitat protection, the survival chances of the greater sage grouse are significantly reduced, putting them at risk of disappearing from Alberta and possibly Canada.
Despite the provincial changes, federal protections for a portion of Alberta’s greater sage grouse habitat remain in place through an emergency order implemented in 2014. This federal protection is crucial as the removal of provincial regulations leaves a significant gap in safeguarding the species.
In response to the removal of habitat protections, the helium industry, represented by Thor Resources and the Helium Developers Association of Canada, pushed for these changes citing economic development needs. The industry argued that the previous habitat protections were overly restrictive, hindering economic growth. The helium company assured compliance with measures to mitigate impacts, but noted that specific guidelines for sage grouse habitat are no longer mandatory.
The removal of habitat protections for the greater sage grouse in Alberta has sparked concerns among conservationists and experts, highlighting the delicate balance between environmental preservation and economic interests. The fate of this endangered species remains uncertain as stakeholders navigate the implications of these regulatory changes.
