The Alberta government recently eliminated habitat protections for the endangered greater sage grouse by amending the Public Lands Act. This move has raised concerns as the greater sage grouse population in Alberta is estimated to be less than 100 birds, largely confined to the southeastern part of the province.
The greater sage grouse population in Alberta experienced a drastic 98% decline from 1968 to 2012, primarily due to habitat loss and industrial development. University of Alberta ecology professor Mark Boyce, a long-time advocate for sage grouse conservation, warned that the removal of provincial protections could lead to the extinction of the remaining population in Alberta.
Boyce criticized the government’s decision, stating that prioritizing industrial development over conservation jeopardizes the survival of the most endangered vertebrate species in Canada. He expressed concerns that the greater sage grouse, highly sensitive to disruptions like noise and human structures, may face further threats without habitat protections.
In response to criticism, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas communications director Andrew Livingstone defended the changes, emphasizing a need to simplify regulations for proponents operating in southeastern Alberta while still supporting a recovery program for the sage grouse. The province aims to strike a balance between conservation efforts and economic development, investing in various initiatives like habitat restoration and predator management.
Conservationists, such as Joshua Killeen from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, expressed dismay over the lifting of habitat protections, fearing it could reverse decades of conservation work and endanger the species further. Despite federal protections in place for a portion of the sage grouse habitat, the removal of provincial regulations poses a significant risk to the species’ survival in Alberta and potentially in Canada.
The decision to remove habitat protections was influenced by the helium industry, with companies like Thor Resources benefiting from the changes. Thor Resources CEO Brent Jonah explained that the company’s operations in greater sage grouse habitat would no longer be bound by specific protection measures, emphasizing the need for a balance between environmental concerns and economic interests.
Richard Dunn, from the Helium Developers Association of Canada, supported the removal of habitat protections, arguing that the previous regulations were overly restrictive and hindered economic development. He highlighted the importance of balancing environmental considerations with economic growth to ensure sustainable resource utilization.