Biodiversity Offsets and Caribou Conservation: Opportunities and Challenges. Christine Robichaud and Kyle Knopff

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1 Biodiversity Offsets and Caribou Conservation: Opportunities and Challenges Christine Robichaud and Kyle Knopff

2 Outline Introduction and Context Opportunities Challenges Conclusions December 13,

3 Introduction and Context What do I mean by caribou offset? Any action that results in a positive measurable conservation outcome for caribou. Offset goal: Compensate for any residual adverse impacts to woodland caribou (e.g., habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, or increased predation), after appropriate application of the mitigation hierarchy. The goal of offset actions is to achieve no net loss (NNL) or preferably a net positive impact (NPI) (demonstrated using an offset metric). December 13,

4 Introduction and Context Federal Recovery Strategy Habitat based offsets are one way to work towards the federal habitat target (65% undisturbed) Alberta Woodland Caribou Policy Offsets would provide a mechanism to meet the provincial policy Regulatory Requirements Project-specific approval conditions December 13,

5 Caribou Offset Opportunities Consider cause of caribou decline December 13,

6 Caribou Offset Opportunities 1) Protect caribou habitat that might otherwise be lost 2) Restore disturbed caribou habitat 3) Manipulate the predator-prey system to reduce predation 4) In lieu fees December 13,

7 Caribou Offset Opportunities Protect caribou habitat that might otherwise be lost (averted loss) Permanent conservation areas Long-term harvest deferrals (e.g., negotiated between oil and gas operator and approved forestry operator) December 13,

8 Caribou Offset Opportunities Restore disturbed caribou habitat Focus on historical disturbances (i.e., off footprint) Many opportunities exist (57% to 95% of AB ranges = disturbed) Most effective if implemented in newly created conservation areas as identified in: Alberta s Caribou Action Plan Lower Athabasca Regional Plan There is sufficient knowledge and expertise on restoration techniques Focus on linear disturbances may provide the greatest value for a developer s investment Addresses ultimate cause of caribou decline: habitat change Implementation by individual project proponents or a third party (e.g., conservation bank). December 13,

9 Caribou Offset Opportunities Manipulations to the predator-prey system (reduce predation) Wolf control Demonstrated effectiveness in Little Smoky Caribou Range Requires implementation by the appropriate government body Alternate prey control White-tailed deer expansion may be driving wolf population densities Requires implementation by the appropriate government body Hunters could play a key role if the approach involves liberalizing harvest quotas Predator fencing Maternity pens (examples in AB, YK, and BC) Large fence to support entire caribou lifecycle Would require partnerships among industry, First Nations, and the provincial government December 13,

10 Caribou Offset Opportunities In lieu fees Payment fee schedule established by regulator to finance offset action(s) Costs are defined up-front Development not required to design or implement offset themselves Only effective if fees fund actions that achieve a no net loss or better (i.e., require implementation of conservation actions already discussed) December 13,

11 Caribou Offset Challenges Measurable outcomes that achieve NNL or NPI have rarely been demonstrated. Failure to implement appropriate offset actions have resulted from: inconsistent interpretations of NNL; lack of information required to clearly assess and quantify project impacts; failure to identify impacts that cannot be offset under any circumstance; inappropriate use of metrics or currencies; non-compliance with regulations and lack of enforcement; failure to use appropriate offset ratios; implementation without prior evidence of technical feasibility or effectiveness; inadequate regulatory framework and government oversight; and lack of monitoring and maintenance December 13,

12 Caribou Offset Challenges Key challenge: no clear guidance or framework for offset requirements in Alberta. Need guidance on: objectives (NNL or NPI?) offset currency loss-gain calculations equivalency and trading up permissible offset actions uncertainty and time lags monitoring requirements and appropriate indicators spatial and temporal considerations December 13,

13 In lieu fees Caribou Offset Challenges Fees often used to fund research and monitoring offset Risk that the funds do not deliver outcomes to achieve NNL or NPI December 13,

14 Caribou Offset Challenges Habitat protection (averted loss) Majority of caribou range on public lands (cannot purchase land) No established conservation banking system Cannot extinguish development rights under current legislation December 13,

15 Caribou Offset Challenges Habitat restoration Long time lags Uncertainty around restoration success Uncertainty around loss-gain calculations and currency Example: restoring 1 km of a 5 m wide linear disturbance Direct restoration = 5, 000 m m 5 m x 1,000 m Indirect restoration = 1,005,000 m 2 December 13,

16 Caribou Offset Challenges Habitat restoration (continued) No mechanism to protect restoration efforts on Public lands Complex consultation requirements Does not address the predation problem December 13,

17 Caribou Offset Challenges Manipulations to the predator-prey system (reduce predation) Negative public perception of predator and prey management programs Cannot be actioned by a developer Currency? When is NNL achieved? RCRW 2015 RCRW 2015 December 13,

18 Caribou Offset Challenges General offset challenges Spatial constraints? December 13,

19 Conclusions In theory, many caribou offset actions exist There are many implementation challenges Common challenge = lack of framework and policy RCRW 2015 RCRW 2015 December 13,

20 Conclusions Regional-scale habitat restoration is likely the most promising offset strategy for industry: Technically feasible; Aligns with requirements of the federal recovery strategy and provincial caribou policy Extensive offset opportunities available Could be incorporated into a banking system Habitat-based approaches previously applied under federally regulated projects (e.g., Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation) and is accepted by other jurisdictions Need to resolve issue of offset protection on public lands Does not solve short-term problems of predation December 13,

21 Conclusions Spatial consideration: Provincial-scale implementation. RCRW 2015 RCRW 2015 December 13,

22 QUESTIONS? For more information: Robichaud, C.B., and K.H. Knopff Biodiversity offsets and caribou conservation in Alberta: opportunities and challenges. Rangifer (Special Issue 23): DOI December 13,