The Alberta government has recently eliminated habitat protections for the endangered greater sage grouse, a species on the brink of extinction in Canada. These changes, made through amendments to the Public Lands Act in July, removed safeguards for the bird in designated protection and recovery zones. At the same time, a helium extraction company, Thor Resources, received a new approval to operate within these critical habitats.
The greater sage grouse, classified as an endangered species by both provincial and federal authorities, faces a dire situation with less than 100 birds remaining in Alberta, primarily confined to the southeastern part of the province. The population of these birds declined by 98% in Alberta between 1968 and 2012 due to factors like habitat loss and industrial development, leading to their current occupancy of only about seven percent of their historical range.
Mark Boyce, an ecology professor at the University of Alberta involved in greater sage grouse conservation for decades, expressed concerns over the removal of provincial protections, warning that it directly endangers the survival of the remaining Alberta sage grouse population. He criticized the government’s stance, indicating that the prioritization of industrial development over conservation efforts puts the endangered species at a high risk of extinction.
In response to 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. He emphasized the province’s commitment to a sage grouse recovery program that balances conservation outcomes with economic needs, highlighting ongoing initiatives such as habitat restoration, predator management, and monitoring to support the species’ recovery.
Conservationists, including Joshua Killeen from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, expressed dismay over the removal of habitat protections, undermining years of conservation work and jeopardizing the survival of the species in Alberta and potentially across Canada. Despite federal protections remaining in place for some of Alberta’s sage grouse habitat, the removal of provincial regulations significantly impacts the species’ chances of recovery.
The decision to lift habitat protections was influenced by the helium industry’s push for changes. Thor Resources, the helium extraction company operating in greater sage grouse habitat, indicated compliance with height restrictions and noise mitigation measures but noted the absence of specific requirements related to sage grouse conservation following the regulatory changes.
Richard Dunn, executive director of the Helium Developers Association of Canada, supported the removal of habitat protections, citing the necessity to balance environmental concerns with economic development. He argued that the previous restrictions were overly restrictive and hindered economic growth, particularly concerning access to designated sage grouse habitats during certain periods.
Overall, the removal of habitat protections for the greater sage grouse in Alberta has raised significant concerns among conservationists and experts, with fears that the species may face irreversible decline and potential extinction without adequate safeguards in place.