Status Assessments to Delisting -an overview of the Species at Risk Program

Transcription

1 Status Assessments to Delisting an overview of the Species at Risk Program David F. Fraser (WLAP, B.C.) and Trish Hayes (Pacific and Yukon Region, CWS,)

2 Presentation Outline History of SAR program Accord Species At Risk Program Overview General Status COSEWIC assessments Getting listed Getting delisted Legal listing the Species at Risk Act From COSEWIC to Schedule 1 Implications of SARA Schedule 1 listing Recovery Planning Requirements under SARA Approaches to recovery Challenges of the timelines Action Provincial processes Tying it all together Current policy/guidelines under development

3 National Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk We agree to: i) participate in the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council ii) recognize the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada iii) establish complementary legislation that provide for effective protection of species at risk

4 Agreements under the Accord a. address all native wild species; b. provide an independent process for assessing the status of species at risk; c. legally designate species as threatened or endangered; d. provide immediate legal protection for threatened or endangered species; e. provide protection for the habitat of threatened or endangered species;

5 The Accord (cont.) f. provide for the development of recovery plans within one year for endangered species and two years for threatened species that address the identified threats to the species and its habitat; g. ensure multijurisdictional cooperation for the protection of species that cross borders through the development and implementation of recovery plans;

6 The Accord (cont.) h. consider the needs of species at risk as part of environmental assessment processes; i. implement recovery plans in a timely fashion;

7 The Accord (cont.) j. monitor, assess and report regularly on the status of all wild species; k. emphasize preventive measures to keep species from becoming at risk; l. improve awareness of the needs of species at risk;

8 The Accord (cont.) m. encourage citizens to participate in conservation and protection actions; n. recognize, foster and support effective and long term stewardship by resource users and managers, landowners, and other citizens;

9 Implementing the Accord SARA is a key component of the federal government s response to the legislative requirements of the Accord and to commitments made in response to the Biodiversity Convention. Provinces and Territories have implemented other programs to respond to the Accord.

10 Overview of SAR Program General Status COSEWIC Assessment Legal Listing Action Recovery Strategy & Action Plans

11 Overview of SAR Program General Status COSEWIC Assessment Legal Listing Action Recovery Strategy & Action Plans

12 Overview of SAR Program General Status COSEWIC Assessment Legal Listing Action Recovery Strategy & Action Plans

13 Overview of SAR Program off the E,T,Ex list General Status COSEWIC Assessment Legal Listing Action Recovery Strategy & Action Plans

14 CDC and General Status Program General Status program helps COSEWIC identify species for detailed assessment, early warning for management of spp. Rapid assessment of all spp in Canada Criteria similar to CDC process Some jurisdiction translate CDC ranks to GS ranks (BC, Ont, Man) Website:

15 General Status 302 records were found. Displaying records: 1 to 20 To view information on a species click on their Canada rank. 5 Amblyscirtes simius Simius Roadside Skipper Amblyscirtes oslari Oslar s Roadside Skipper Amblyscirtes hegon Pepper And Salt Skipper Agriades glandon Arctic Blue 6 4 Agriades aquilo LargeSpotted Blue 6 8 Agraulis vanillae Gulf Fritillary 6 5 Achalarus lyciades Hoary Edge 6 A t l E A O W A O P a c N F L B P E N S N B Q C O N M B S K A B B C N U N T Y T Latin Name Common Name Ca na da Not Present Accidental 8 Exotic 7 Not Assessed 6 Undetermine d 5 Secure 4 Sensitive 3 May be at risk 2 At Risk 1 Extirpated/Ex tinct 0 Legend

16 COSEWIC listing, and down listing Based on a detailed status report. New criteria developed from the IUCN serve as guidelines. COSEWIC can, and routinely does, uplist or downlist from the criteria in taking into account, threat levels, protection, rescue effect. More later in workshop.

17 Getting off the COSEWIC Endangered Vancouver Island Marmot Badger jacksonnii ssp Swift Fix Peary Carubiy Northern Leopard Frig Tiger Salamander Labrador Atlantic Cod Morrison Ck Lamprey Water Plantain Buttercup Butternut Scouler s Catchfly Slender Collomia List requires reassessment by COSEWIC Threatened Wood Bison Grey Fox Cusk Spotted Gar Wild Hyacinth Phantom Orchid Powesheik Skipperling Northern Abalone Haller s Apple Moss

18 Getting off the List wait for the ten year review (10) slow request an assessment by COSEWIC (26) submit an unsolicited status report (1) request an emergency assessment (Extirpated to Endangered only) (.3) fast

19 Getting off the List (cont.) Go extinct

20 The Species At Risk Act: moving from COSEWIC assessments to legal listing Canada s Approach 1. Accord for the Protection of Species At Risk 2. Federal Species At Risk Act 3. Habitat Stewardship Program

21 The Species at Risk Act exists: To prevent wildlife from becoming extinct To secure the recovery of Extirpated, Endangered or Threatened species To manage Special Concern species to prevent them from becoming further at risk The Act Applies to: K O D A K all wildlife species at risk nationally their critical habitats all lands and waters in Canada

22 Basic Elements of SARA sciencebased assessments legal listing process species protection mandatory recovery planning public involvement protection of individuals and residences protection of critical habitat K O D A K For a copy of SARA and other key information go to:

23 Legal Listing under SARA A ASSESSMENT Status Reports Review COSEWIC Assessment B RESPONSE C LEGAL LISTING Published in Public Registry 90 days for Min to respond (in Public Registry) 9 mon for Gov t to decide (in Public Registry)

24 A ASSESSMENT B RESPONSE Implications of Legal Listing C LEGAL LISTING D PROTECTION Safety Net Prohibitions/ Enforcement Federal Lands & Species E RECOVERY Exemptions

25 Implications of Legal listing: 1. General Prohibitions For XP, E, T species, one cannot: Kill, harm, harass, capture or take Possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an individual or its parts Damage or destroy the residence of one or more individuals K O D A K Application of Prohibitions Species on federal lands Aquatic species Migratory birds safety net provisions

26 Implications of Legal listing: 2. Critical Habitat Prohibitions Protection required for all species on Federal lands and for aquatic species and migratory birds within 180 days Protection can be by any Act of Parliament, including Section 11 agreements Safety Net authority for prohibitions More on Critical Habitat to come K O D A K

27 Implications of Legal Listing 3. Recovery Planning Recovery Strategies Extirpated Action Plans Endangered Threatened Management Plans Special Concern

28 Recovery Strategies under SARA K O D A K Mandatory for XP, E and T species Use precautionary principle Developed in cooperation with those who have authority over species or lands Developed in consultation with those potentially affected Determine whether recovery is technically and biologically feasible based on best available information

29 Contents of Recovery Strategies Description of species and needs Identification of threats to species and habitat and strategy needed to address them population and distribution objectives Identification of critical habitat if possible survival or recovery habitat If not then schedule of studies K O D A K Information needs timelines for completion of Action Plans Posted on Public Registry

30 Action Plans under SARA Action Plans Implement Recovery Strategies K O D A K To the extent possible must be prepared in cooperation with those who have authority over species or lands Developed in consultation with potentially affected landowners or leasees Regulations made where needed

31 Contents of Action Plans K O D A K Actions needed to reach objectives Identify critical habitat and activities that may result in its destruction Proposed measures to protect it Measures necessary to alleviate threats Monitoring methods Evaluate socioeconomic costs and benefits of its implementation Published in Registry

32 Timelines for Planning Listing triggers timelines for preparation Extirpated 2 Ministerial reporting on Recovery Strategy & Management Plan implementation every 5 years Endangered 1 Threatened 2 Years to complete Special Concern 3

33 Challenges of the Timelines: Due Dates for BC Recovery Strategies SARA Schedule 2&3 and newly listed COSEWIC species projected SARA Schedule 1 Species

34 Approaches for Recovery Single Species Vancouver Island Marmot Oregon Spotted Frog Multispecies Approach South Okanagan rare plants Ecosystem Approach Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team Landscape Approach South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program Oregon Spotted Frog

35 Ecosystem/Landscape Approaches When to choose these approaches geographic convergence of multiple SAR shared habitats shared threats recovery conflicts and complements recovery action required at multiple scales Guidelines for proceeding Broad strategy that contains commonalities Build on existing programs/partnerships where feasible include species specific goals and critical habitat identification, but plan for and deliver conservation activities in integrated manner Develop action plans according to what makes sense Be aware of pitfalls of this approach and avoid them Learning as we go, each is unique

36 Evolution of Recovery Planning in Canada first RENEW voluntary agreement 1988 Strategy approved by Wildlife Ministers Council of Canada Agreement to work together to preserve species at risk and prevent other species from becoming at risk ROMAN: national guidance in recovery process then the Accord jurisdictional commitment 1996 signed by all federal, provincial and territorial governments RENEW evolved into the national recovery program Formal reporting structure established: CESCC, CWDC, NRWG and along came SARA federal legislation Passed in 2002 RENEW evolving to accommodate SARA requirements ROMAN + complementary additional guidance material provided by individual jurisdictions Cooperation between jurisdictions essential

37 Provincial & National Processes PROVINCIAL (BC) NATIONAL Conservation Data Centre (CDC) Red and Blue Lists Status Report Status Report Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) Identified Wildlife Forest and Range Act Species Account Wildlife Act Provincially designated Species At Risk Act (SARA) Nationally designated Recovery Activities

38 Cooperation Bilaterals Bilateral agreements between provinces and territories and the federal government are being developed. Will outline responsibilities, agreed upon approaches and governance models, data sharing and management.

39 Funding opportunities Several funding pots are available a detailed list is in ROMAN and in binder.

40 Works in Progress Policies and guidelines under development: Critical habitat and residence policy: consultation on draft document is underway, will be available as a standalone policy doc. ROMAN is being refined continually to reflect new thinking; need to translate it DRAFTs to be added to ROMAN in near future: Critical habitat identification guidelines Cooperation and consultation guidelines for recovery planning under SARA

41 Work in Progress, cont. Feasibility of recovery guidelines. Guidelines for socioeconomic evaluation at action plan stage. Permitting policy and guidelines Guidelines for environmental assessment.

42 Work in Progress, cont compensation (ongoing consultation) NACOSAR: terms of reference under development; ATK subcommittee of COSEWIC framework for working with Aboriginal peoples role of wildlife management boards also being clarified.