Report of the Alberta Endangered Species Conservation Committee

44 Pages·2002·9.6 MB·English

by  Alberta Endangered Species Conservation Committee

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ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
JUNE 2 0 0 2
ISBN No. 0-7785-2962-2 (Printed Edition)
ISBN No. 0-7785-2963-0 (On-line Edition)
Pub No. 1/139 (Printed, On-line Edition)
For copies of this report, contact:
Information Centre - P ublications
Alberta Environment / A lberta Sustainable Resource Development
Main Floor, Great West Life Building
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Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
T5K 2M4
Telephone: (780) 422-2079
OR, visit our website at
<http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/fw/riskspecies>
and select button 'Legal Designation'
WRITING/EDITING; Edrea Daniel, Robin Outsell, Dawn Birn, Nyree Sharp, Dave Ealey
GRAPHIC DESIGN & LAYOUT: Broken Arrow Solutions Incorporated
This publication may be cited as; Fish and Wildlife Division 2004. Report of Alberta's Endangered Species Conservation
Committee: June 2002. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Edmonton, AB. 40 pp.
Message from the Minister
The efforts and progress of the As Alberta moves forward in its
Endangered Species Conservation efforts to ensure our natural
Committee (ESCC) clearly show Alberta resources can be used and managed
is a leader at working for the future of
sustainably, it's important that we
its vulnerable species. The province's pay attention to our unique and
sensitive wild species in a balanced
"at risk" species face many challenges
- t he committee helps develop way. I look forward to continuing to
meaningful solutions with its practical work with the committee in
input and review. achieving that balance.
The people of the ESCC and its Included in the many successes of
Scientific Subcommittee are to be the ESCC, as described in this MINISTER OF SUSTAINABLE
commended for the tremendous RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
progress report, are tremendous
commitment they make. The quality advances that have been made in
and timeliness of their input is recovery planning. This is p articularly
exceptional. The advice and so for the creation of recovery plans
recommendations that I receive from for the piping plover and the
the ESCC are well-prepared. I see western blue flag as the first
reflected in them the broad diversity provincial recovery plans to be '“aTth eri s pk'r o vspiencciee'ss
and many values of Albertans, as reviewed by the ESCC.
represented by various sectors on the
There is a role for all Albertans to face many
committee.
participate in the recovery of species
I w ish to recognize the continuing role at risk. The stories in this report challenges - the
that Ivan Strang, MLA West show how essential public cdoevmemliotpt ee helps
Yellowhead, has played as the ESCC cooperation is to achieve success
chair, a position he has held since the with our provincial recovery efforts.
creation of the ESCC in 1998. With the meaningful
members' cooperation, he blends the
contributions of scientists and
solutions with its
stakeholders to achieve the best of
results. HON. MIKE CARDINAL
practical input
and review. "
Message from the Chair
I f eel privileged to represent the value, not special interest. We then
diverse membership of the submit our recommendations to the
Endangered Species Conservation Minister of Sustainable Resource
Committee (ESCC) in introducing this Development.
progress report on species at risk
In communicating with the
activities. This is one way in which we
Minister, the committee has been
can be accountable to Albertans for
our efforts on their behalf. impressed with his willingness to
listen to our points and to consider
fully our submissions. I am pleased
It's very satisfying to help build
something and watch it stand the test to note that well over 90 per cent
MLA WEST YELLOWHEAD
of the recommendations submitted
of time. As a result of start-up
funding for a number of species at by the ESCC have been accepted,
risk initiatives, the department which is a most impressive record.
established, over a couple of years, a We are ready to work with the
strong framework for its species at Minister and the department
risk programming. This framework toward fulfilling our mandate as we
"The Scientific has enabled the committee to make a address further species.
Subcommittee good number of recommendations
and make some headway toward My thanks go to the hard-working
committee members and Scientific
supports the recovery of species. The proof is in Subcommittee members. Your
the success stories described herein.
ESCC with commitment to this task of
The Alberta approach adapts, for use
bettering the condition of Alberta's
independent, at a regional level, the assessment "at risk" species is unwavering.
criteria that are used at national and Albertans and the species
scientific international (World Conservation themselves are well served by your
assessments of a Union) levels. Based on these criteria, efforts.
the Scientific Subcommittee supports
high calibre. the ESCC with independent, scientific
assessments of a high calibre. Then
Then the ESCC
the ESCC, as a stakeholder
takes these committee unique in all of Canada,
takes these assessments and adds
IVAN STRANG
assessments and
adds value. "
Alberta has a rich natural heritage. The • to facilitate the planning and
province has hundreds of species of implementation of conservation
vertebrate animals, and thousands of programs and recovery plans for
species of plants and invertebrates, species at risk; and
whose populations are healthy and
• to recommend actions that will
stable. However, the populations of some
prevent species from becoming at
wild species have decreased to such an
risk in the future. Definitions Used by the
extent that they can no longer sustain
Endangered Species
themselves. Other species are in danger Appendix 1 provides the Policy Conservation Committee
of reaching this point. Statement of the ESCC.
Species at Risk: A s pecies at
In response, the Alberta government has The Scientific Subcommittee is an risk of extinction or extirpation
(endangered or threatened),
developed a process to prevent "species independent subcommittee of the
or a species that needs special
at risk" from becoming extinct or ESCC. Its purpose is to study the
extirpated. The approach is innovative scientific information available on management attention to
prevent it f rom becoming at
and practical, and brings broad social and species identified as potentially at risk risk.
economic values into the process. It is in Alberta. The Scientific Subcommittee
Extinct: A s pecies that no
also cooperative and collaborative, with provides the ESCC with its analysis of
longer exists.
the solid backing of provincial legislation the biological status of a wild species
Extirpated: A s pecies no
(the Wildlife Act). The process relies on and recommends an appropriate status
longer existing in the wild in
sound science plus a realistic designation. It may also suggest Alberta but occurring
understanding of land use and land immediate actions that need to be elsewhere in the wild.
management, both of which are needed taken to protect the species. The ESCC Endangered: A s pecies facing
for the effective management and considers and includes the imminent extirpation or
recovery of species at risk. extinction.
subcommittee's assessment when it
submits its advice to the Minister of Threatened: A s pecies likely
The Alberta approach relies upon the
Sustainable Resource Development. to become endangered if
activities of the Endangered Species
limiting factors are not
Conservation Committee (ESCC) and its The creation of the ESCC has added a reversed.
scientific arm, the Scientific new dimension to the ongoing process
Species of Special Concern:
Subcommittee, both created under the
of species assessment carried out in A s pecies of special concern
auspices of the Wildlife Act in 1998. Alberta. The result has been clear because of characteristics that
The main role of the ESCC is to advise identification of species at risk and the mhaukmea n i t ap catritviitciuelsa r loyr nsaentsuirtailv e to
the Minister of Sustainable Resource timely development of recovery plans events.
and management programs for these
Development on matters related to the Data Deficient: A s pecies for
identification, conservation and recovery species. which there is insufficient
of species at risk in Alberta. Its specific scientific information to
functions are as follows; support status designation.
• to recommend the necessary legal
designation and protections for These definitions are based on
threatened and endangered species in those used by The Committee on
Alberta; the Status of Endangered Wildlife
in Canada (COSEWIC - see page
16). For more information see the
COSEWIC website <http://
www.cosewic.gc.ca>.
Alberta's Endangered Species
Conservation Committee
Alberta's Endangered Species Conservation Committee (ESCC) held its first meeting in
September 1998. Meeting quarterly, it makes decisions usually by consensus but can
resolve matters using a two-thirds majority when consensus is not possible. The
committee's Chair, Ivan Strang, MLA for West Yellowhead, was appointed in 1998 by a
Minister of then-Alberta Environmental Protection.
The Alberta approach to assisting species at risk involves using both scientific expertise
and the knowledge of those who own, manage or use the land on which wild species
ENDANGERED STATUS IN ALBERTA
depend. Therefore, the ESCC includes members of the scientific/academic community
(apart from the Scientific Subcommittee), plus representatives of organizations that are
land use managers, resource users, conservation groups and government departments. By
including all these stakeholders, the committee is better able to develop workable
For more information conservation management programs and recovery plans for species at risk. The ESCC
about these consists of the following individuals and organizations (member organizations are listed
in alphabetical order):
organizations, visit their
websites, which are
listed on the inside back Chair Ex-officio Representatives
cover. Ivan Strang, MLA for West Yellowhead Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural
Development
Members
Alberta Conservation Association
Alberta Association of Municipal Districts Alberta Energy
and Counties
Alberta Beef Producers
Alberta Fish and Game Association The Chair and Ex-officio Representatives do
not vote. All other members have one vote.
Alberta Forest Products Association
(2 MEMBERS)
Alberta Irrigation Projects Association
Alberta Native Plant Council
Alberta Sustainable Resource
Development
Calgary Zoo
Canadian Association of Petroleum
Producers
Federation of Alberta Naturalists
Special Areas Board
The Wildlife Society - A lberta Chapter
Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta
University of Alberta
(DEPT. OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES)
University of Calgary
(DEPT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES)
Western Stock Growers' Association
1
4
Achievements of Alberta's Endangered Future Activities
Species Conservation Committee of Aibertas Endangered
Alberta's Endangered Species Conservation Committee has been meeting since
September 1998 and has accomplished a great deal in its short tenure. Between June In the next two years
2000 and June 2002, it has achieved the following:
Alberta's Endangered Species
Conservation Committee
fionltleonwdsi n gt:o accomplish the
• received 21 new assessments carried • reviewed and facilitated public input
out by the Scientific Subcommittee into three draft recovery plans; • continue ongoing
(30 species have been evaluated since assessments of species
1999); • discussed Alberta's Wildlife Act and
areas where regulations and potentially at risk in
Alberta (optimum is t hree
• passed recommendations concerning legislation could be improved or
species per meeting) and
the legal designation, management make its recommendations
enhanced to improve Alberta's
and recovery of all of these species to approach to efficient management about these species to the
the Minister of Sustainable Resource of Species at Risk; and Minister of Sustainable
Resource Development;
Development (the Minister has
responded and initiated action on all • made recommendations regarding • continue to facilitate the
the standard actions to be taken
30 species); planning, review and
following status designation at each
implementation of
• facilitated the planning, review and level (endangered, threatened, recovery plans for
implementation of recovery plans for species of special concern, data endangered and
deficient). threatened species,
endangered and threatened species,
including assisting
including assisting stakeholders to
stakeholders to participate
participate in the process;
in the process; and
continue to review and
facilitate public input into
draft recovery plans.
SPECIES ASSESSED BY ALBERTA'S ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION
COMMITTEE BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1998 AND JUNE 2002
ENDANGERED SPECIES data DEFICIENT SPECIES
1 1 Sage grouse {Centrocercus urophasianus) 1 I Prairie rattlesnake {Crotalus viridis)
2 1 Swift fox {Vulpes velox) 2 1 Wolverine (Gu/o gu/o)
3 I Piping plover (Cfiaradnus me/odus) 3 I Pygmy whitefish {Prosopium coulter!)
4 I Great Plains toad {Bufo cognatus)
4 i Ord's kangaroo rat {Dipodomys ordii)
5 I Whooping crane (Grus amedcana) 5 I Canadian toad (Bufo hemiophrys)
THREATENED SPECIES , NOT AT RISK SPECIES
1 I Peregrine falcon (fa/co peregrinus) 1 I Red-tailed chipmunk (Tam/as mf/caudus)
2 I Burrowing owl {Athene cunicularia)
IN PROCESS
3 i Woodland caribou (/?ang/fer farandus
caribou)
1 I Western blue flag (/ds m/ssoudens/s)’
4 ! Trumpeter swan (Cygnus ducc/nafor) 2 I Western spiderwort {Tradescantia occidentalis)'
3 I Ferruginous hawk {Buteo regalis)^
SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
4 I Grizzly bear (L/rsusarcfos)
5 I Cape May warbler (Dendro/ca tigrina)
1 I Sprague's pipit (Anfdussprague//)
2 I Long-toed salamander {Ambystoma 6 I Bay-breasted warbler {Dendroica castanea)
macrodactylum)
1 I Soap weed {Yucca glaucaV
3 I Long-billed curlew (A/umen/us a/Dedcanus)
4 1 Loggerhead shrike (Lan/us /udowc/anus) 8 I Yucca moth (Tegedcu/ayuccaseZ/a)'
5 1 Black-throated green warbler (Dendro/ca
Virens)
6 I Harlequin duck (H/stdon/cus d/sfdon/cus)
7 I Bull trout {Salvelinus confluentus)
5
' New regulations for the protection of p lant and invertebrate species are being developed so that the listing process can be completed
for these species.
^ C urrently designated as threatened, re-evaluation on hold pending collection of additional data on population trends.
The Scientific Subcommittee of Alberta's
Endangered Species Conservation Committee
The Scientific Subcommittee is made up of When evaluating a species, the
independent scientists who review the best Scientific Subcommittee considers a
scientific information available on a species range of information about the
that may be at risk in Alberta and assess species' status in Alberta. Population
what the biological status of that species is size, changes in population size, and
in the province. The subcommittee sends the size of the area in which the
its assessment and related species occurs are very significant.
recommendations to the Endangered Other population characteristics, such
Species Conservation Committee. as fragmentation, isolation and status
in adjacent regions are also considered
RESEARCHER ABOUT TO The Scientific Subcommittee has adopted before the subcommittee recommends
RELEASE ORD'S KANGAROO RAT the species evaluation method used by the a status.
lUCN' (now the World Conservation Union,
formerly the International Union for the The present Scientific Subcommittee is
Conservation of Nature and Natural composed of a small group of
The Scientific Resources). This method is the same as scientists with significant expertise
Subcommittee is that used by the Committee on the Status related to vertebrate animals
of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (including mammals, amphibians,
made up of (COSEWIC) at the national level, and using reptiles, birds and fish), invertebrates
it ensures that Alberta's assessments can (including insects and spiders) and
independent be compared with those done nationally. vascular and nonvascular plants, as
scientists who As well, having an internationally well as in the general fields of biology,
accepted, open and transparent process of botany, ecology, forestry, population
review the best evaluation enhances the credibility of the genetics, wildlife management and
scientific assessments. wildlife conservation.
scientific
information Members of the Scientific Subcommittee (i alphabetical order) are as follows:
Dr. Rene J. Belland, Director of Research, Dr. John Spence, Professor,
available on a
Devonian Botanic Garden, Edmonton, Department of Biological Sciences,
species that may Alberta. University of Alberta, Edmonton,
Alberta.
he at risk in Cheryl Bradley, Professional Biological
Consultant, Lethbridge, Alberta was a Mark Steinhilber, Curator of
Alberta. member of the Scientific Subcommittee Ichthyology and Herpetology,
until October 2002, when she resigned. Provincial Museum of Alberta,
Edmonton, Alberta.
Dr. David Gummer, Curator of
Mammalogy, Provincial Museum of William D. Wishart, Retired Section
Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. Head, Wildlife Research, Alberta Fish
and Wildlife; now Adjunct Professor,
Dr. Brett Purdy, Department of
Department of Biological Sciences,
Renewable Resources, University of
University of Alberta, and Research
Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.
Associate, Provincial Museum of
Dr. Fiona Schmiegelow (Subcommittee Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.
Chair), Assistant Professor, Department
of Renewable Resources, University of
Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.
'The World Conservation Union has kept its former acronym — lUCN.
6
Achievements of the Scientific Subcommittee Future Activities
of the Scientific
of Alberta's Endangered Species Conservation Committee
ASlubbecrtoam'msi t Etnedea n gofe r ^e d *
Species Conservation
The Scientific Subcommittee has been meeting since January 1999 and between June Committee
2000 and June 2002, can be credited with the following accomplishments:
considered and accepted the revised developed a system for setting Over the next two years, the
2001 lUCN guidelines for assessment priorities for data collection and Scientific Subcommittee will
of species at risk; detailed status report production be completing the following
with particular reference to activities:
evaluated 21 new species (30 species
vascular plant species at risk. • continue to evaluate
have been evaluated since 1999) and
species potentially at risk in
provided its recommendations for Alberta and pass on its
these species to the Endangered recommendations to the
Species Conservation Committee; and Endangered Species
Conservation Committee;
• continue to refine the
priority-setting system for
application to other
taxonomic groups such as
invertebrates; and
• expand its membership as
needed.
SPECIES CURRENTLY LISTED UNDER THE WILDLIFE ACT, AND NEW SPECIES
ASSESSED BY THE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION COMMITTEE SINCE ITS INCEPTION
Recovery
Recovery/
Former Recommendations Current ApRperco. v ePdla n by |
Species Des(i1g9n9a8t)i on SSC ESCC (DJeusnieg n 2at0i0o2n) FToerammed MPalanna g Dermafetnetd Minister
ENDANGERED (2000)
Sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) GA EN Jun-99 EN Jul-99 EN IP
Swift fox (V ulpes velox) EN EN ([N(tPlr)o2v ) N oJva-n9-7O SP ([NItPl]) Aug-01 (Ntl) Sep-01
EN Sep-99 EN Oct-99
Piping plover (Charadrius melodus) TH EN Dec-99 EN Jan-00 EN Jul-01 Feb-02
WOrhdo'os p iknagn ga crroaon e r a(tG r (uDsi p aomdeormiycsa n uosr)di i) NENG EN Mar-00 EN Apr-00 EN [Apr-03] [IP]
Bison (Bison bison)' EN EN Sep-01 -E N Oct-01 EENN NA Apr-02
THREATENED (2000)
Peregrine falcon (Falco peregnnus) TEHN TH Jun-99 TH Jul-99 TH IP
WBourordolwainndg coawrli b (oAut h (eRnaen g icfuenri c utlaarraina)d us caribou) TH TH Sep-99 TH Oct-99 TTHH JMuany--0011 [IIPP ]
Barren ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus TH TH Dec-00 T- H Jan-01 TH [NOAc t-02]
groenlandicus) TH m
Trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) TH
TH Apr-01 TH Jun-01
Ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) TH [Apr-03]
Oct-01
Northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) TH Sep-01 - TH IP
TH4^
OTHER FORMS OF PROTECTION PROPOSED (2000-2002)
NA
Sprague's pipit (Anthus spragueii) NG SC Jun-99 SC Jul-99 NG(SC)4
NG NA IP
Long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) SC Dec-99 SC Jan-00 NG(SC)^
NG
LLoonggg-ebrihleleadd csuhrrliekwe ((LNaunmieuns i ulsu do vaimceiraincuasn)u s) NG SC Mar-00 SC Apr-00 NG(SC)4 NNAA
NG SC Mar-00 SC Apr-00 NG(SC)^ NA IP
(BDleancdk-rtohircoaa t veidr e ngsr)e en warbler SC Jun-00 SC Oct-00 NG(SC)^
Flarlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) GA NA
SC Sep-01 SC Oct-01 GA(SC)^
Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) GF NA
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) NG SC Jan-02 SC Feb-02 GF(SC)4 NA IP
DD Dec-99 DD Jan-00 NG(DD)^
Wolverine (Gulo gulo) FB
Pygmy whitefish (Prosopium coulteri) - DD Dec-00 DD Jan-01 FDBD( DD)4 NNAA
DD Sep-00 DD Oct-00
Great plains toad (Bufo cognatus) NG NA
DD Dec-00 DD Jan-01 NG(DD)4
Canadian toad (Bufo hemiophrys) NNGG DD Dec-00 DD Jan-01 NG(DD)4 NA
NG NA NA
Red-tailed chipmunk (Tamias ruficaudus) NR Jun-00 NR Oct-00
IN PROCESS (JUNE 2002) (E.G., AWAITING REGULATION DEVELOPMENT)
Western spiderwort (T radescantia occidentalis) - E N A pr-0 1 IIPP
EN Jun-01 [Oct-03]
Soapweed (Y ucca glauca) EN Apr-02 EN May-02 IP [Oct-03]
Yucca moth (Tegeticula yuccasella) EN Apr-02 EN May-02 IP [Oct-03]
Western blue flag (Iris missouriensis) IP
Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) GA TH Sep-99 TH Oct-99 Nov-01 Feb-02
TH Jan-02 TH Feb-02 [Oct-02]
Cape May warbler (Dendroica tigrina) NG SC Jun-00 SC Oct-00 IP [IP] Apr-02
NG IP
Bay-breasted warbler (Dendroica castanea) SC Jun-00 SC Oct-00
EN - E ndangered; TH - T hreatened; GA - G ame Animal; NG - N on-game Animal; GF - G ame Fish (under Federal Fisheries Act); FB - F ur-bearing Animal; IP - I n Process; ♦ - L egal
designation is Non-game Animal, Fur-bearing Animal, Game Bird or Game Fish, species further described as SC - S pecies of Special Concern or DD - D ata Deficient; - R e-evaluation
on hold pending analysis of additional data on population trends; NA - n ot applicable.
' O nly bison (Bison bison) that are found, killed or captured on the land within the boundaries described in the regulation are endangered animals. The regulation has a d etailed
description of northwestern Alberta around the Flay-Zama lakes, north and west to the N.W.T. and B.C. borders.
^ P ending development of the provincial recovery plan, Alberta has adopted the national recovery plan for sage grouse.
3 [ square brackets] indicate events current as of the printing of this report.
8