Operation Grassland Community
Response to the Proposed Bill C-65, Canadian Endangered Species Protection Act
November 26, 1996
Charles Caccia, M.P.
Chair, Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development
353 South Centre Block, House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
Dear Mr. Caccia:
Re: Bill C-65, Proposed Canadian Endangered Species Protection Act
Please accept the following comments for consideration;
Background
Since 1990, the Alberta Fish and Game Association (AFGA) has administered the Operation
Burrowing Owl (OBO) program in Alberta. Recognizing that the habitat protected for the
burrowing owl through the OBO program benefits many other species, the program was
expanded in 1994 to a multi-species conservation program called Operation Grassland
Community (OGC).
OGC maintains the same main objectives as OBO:
- promote awareness of profile species (includes the burrowing owl, loggerhead shrike,
amphibians and reptiles) in the grasslands of Alberta
- protect habitat through landowner Voluntary Habitat Protection Agreements
- compile an annual Alberta population census of the representative species.
Most rural landowners have a close tie to, and understanding of, native wildlife and habitat. With
this link has grown a long tradition of care and stewardship of natural areas and wildlife on the
prairie. Private stewardship programs, such as Operation Grassland Community and Operation
Burrowing Owl, are a means of encouraging and giving overdue recognition to stewardship
efforts by individual landowners. The importance of private stewardship on the prairies will only
increase.
Statements
THE AFGA AND OGC ARE CONCERNED WITH SPECIES THAT ARE OR MAY BECOME AT RISK AND SUPPORT ALL
REASONABLE EFFORTS TO PREVENT THEIR EXTINCTION/EXTIRPATION.
- We would hope that legislation would take into account and acknowledge the efforts and concern of the farm and ranch families that own or manage the land where species at risk are found such as those involved in OBO.
There is no recognition in the proposed act for existing programs like OBO and OGC. It is
logistically and financially impossible to census large tracts of land for species populations. The
OBO census data from Alberta and Saskatchewan is a key tool in understanding the population
trend of the owls in these two provinces and was a key component in the 1995 COSEWIC status
report. This is one example of the valuable contribution made by the members of OBO.
- Will Bill C-65 acknowledge and exempt anyone who is involved in a recognized program, like
OGC, from any intrusive actions through this or any other enabling legislation, like the
National Accord?
- We are very concerned that this legislation may jeopardize the trust and respect that the OBO
program has built with the farm and ranch community on the prairie over the last 8 eight
years.
The key to addressing the plight of species at risk is habitat. Gaining access to the land involves
developing relationships with the farm and ranch community. The spotted owl controversy in the
United States forms the basis of what many Canadians regard as "Endangered Species
Legislation". Already, landholders have quit OBO with concerns about their livelihood being
jeopardized by intrusive legislation.
- Will the enactment of Bill C-65 be proceeded by a public awareness campaign outlining
exactly what is covered by the legislation and any concessions, if approved, for those involved
in recognized programs, such as OGC?
- We would like to see more resources directed to applied research, voluntary education and
awareness programs like OBO and OGC.
As there will be no "new" money available to enact the CESPA, existing programs need to be re-
evaluated. OGC was twice refused funding from Environment Canada's - Action 21 program for
1996. The first refusal was because Action 21 felt the proposal focussed too heavily on burrowing
owls. The second refusal was because OGC had been previously funded by the Environmental
Partners Fund.
Proven programs like OGC need continued funding in order to continue their good work. OBO
has consistently been ranked as a high priority for funding by the Burrowing Owl Recovery Team.
Universities should be encouraged to direct studies to those applied research questions arising out
of the Recovery Plans.
- Will Bill C-65 direct funding agencies to consider funding recognized programs, like OGC,
that are implementing actions identified within Recovery Plans?
- The alarming decline in the burrowing owl population is a complex ecological and international issue.
OGC works closely with the Burrowing Owl and Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Teams and has
regularly attended the annual meetings since 1992. There are still many basic biological questions
that remain unanswered about the owls.
- Will Bill C-65, through COSEWIC, ensure that any action taken to preserve a species is done
so based on the best available science and not political pressure?
In 1995, the burrowing owl was uplisted from the Threatened category to the Endangered
category. This serious event was mostly unnoticed or led to confusion by those who
misunderstood that the owl was already on the "Endangered Species List."
- Will the Committee consider recommending that the name of the legislation be changed from
..Endangered Species.. to ...Species at Risk... to avoid any confusion with the COSEWIC
listing categories?
Conclusion
Bill C-65: CESPA could provide a good starting point for addressing the plight of Species at
Risk. Habitat and landscapes are the key to ensuring a healthy environment for the diverse species
that rely on them. The encouragement and recognition of landscape programs is the next step in
endangered species protection and OGC represents a flagship approach of this in Alberta.
For more information on OGC, please note that we have just posted a web site at
http://www.eidnet.org/ogc
Sincerely,
David Scobie
Project Coordinator
Copyright notice
