The Alberta government has recently eliminated habitat protections for the greater sage grouse, an endangered bird species in Canada. The changes were made through amendments to the Public Lands Act in July, affecting designated protection and recovery zones for the sage grouse. This decision allows for industrial activities within the sage grouse habitat, as exemplified by a new approval granted to a helium extraction company, Thor Resources, within the designated area.
The greater sage grouse is classified as an endangered species by both the Alberta and federal governments, with fewer than 100 birds estimated to remain in Alberta. The population is mainly concentrated in the southeastern corner of the province, experiencing a drastic 98% decline from 1968 to 2012, primarily due to habitat loss and industrial development.
University of Alberta ecology professor Mark Boyce, a longtime advocate for sage grouse conservation, expressed concerns over the removal of provincial protections, stating that it directly threatens the survival of the remaining sage grouse population in Alberta. Boyce criticized the government’s decision, emphasizing the risk of losing the most endangered vertebrate species in Canada.
The sensitive nature of sage grouse to development activities, such as noise, traffic, and human structures attracting predators, further highlights the risks faced by the species. Boyce criticized Alberta’s prioritization of industrial development over conservation efforts, expressing pessimism about the future of the sage grouse population.
In response to the criticism, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas communications director Andrew Livingstone defended the changes, stating that they aim to simplify regulatory requirements and provide flexibility for proponents operating in southeastern Alberta. Livingstone highlighted ongoing investments in recovery initiatives, including habitat restoration, predator management, and monitoring, to balance conservation outcomes with economic needs.
Conservationists, like Joshua Killeen from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, voiced concerns over the negative impact of lifting habitat protections on sage grouse recovery efforts. With federal protections covering only a portion of the sage grouse habitat, the removal of provincial regulations poses a significant threat to the species’ survival.
The decision to remove habitat protections was influenced by the helium industry’s push for regulatory changes. Thor Resources, the helium extraction company, emphasized compliance with remaining mitigation measures but acknowledged the lack of specific requirements for sage grouse in the altered regulations. The Helium Developers Association of Canada supported the removal of protections, citing the necessity to balance environmental, economic, and social considerations in resource development.
The removal of habitat protections for the greater sage grouse in Alberta raises concerns about the future of the endangered species and the effectiveness of conservation efforts in the region.