The Alberta government has recently eliminated habitat protections for the endangered greater sage grouse, as part of amendments to the Public Lands Act in July. This removal affects designated protection and recovery zones, allowing for increased industrial activities within the sage grouse habitat. The greater sage grouse is classified as an endangered species by both the Alberta and federal governments, with the remaining population in Alberta estimated to be fewer than 100 birds, confined to the southeastern corner of the province. The species has experienced a drastic 98% decline in population from 1968 to 2012, primarily due to habitat loss and industrial development, leading to their current occupancy of only about seven percent of their historical range.
University of Alberta ecology professor Mark Boyce, a long-time advocate for greater sage grouse conservation, expressed concern over the removal of provincial protections, warning that it directly endangers the remaining sage grouse population in Alberta, potentially leading to their extinction in Canada. Boyce criticized the government’s decision, stating that prioritizing industrial development over conservation is a recurring theme in Alberta, which could have grave consequences for the endangered species.
In response to criticisms, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas communications director Andrew Livingstone defended the changes, stating that they aim to simplify regulatory requirements in sage grouse ranges and provide more flexibility for proponents operating in southeastern Alberta. Livingstone emphasized that Alberta remains committed to a sage grouse recovery program that seeks to balance conservation efforts with economic development needs. The province plans to invest in various recovery initiatives, including habitat restoration, predator management, and monitoring programs, to support the recovery of the endangered species.
Conservationists and environmentalists, including Joshua Killeen from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, expressed dismay over the lifting of provincial habitat protections, which they believe undermines decades of conservation work and puts the species at greater risk of extinction. With the provincial protections removed, federal safeguards now cover only a portion of the greater sage grouse habitat in Alberta, leaving the species more vulnerable.
The decision to remove habitat protections was influenced by the helium industry, with companies like Thor Resources benefiting from the changes. Thor Resources, a helium extraction company, received approval for operations within greater sage grouse habitat following the removal of provincial protections. Despite assurances from Thor Resources CEO Brent Jonah that environmental measures would still be in place, concerns remain about the impact on the sage grouse population.
Richard Dunn, executive director of the Helium Developers Association of Canada, supported the removal of habitat protections, citing the need to balance environmental concerns with economic development. Dunn argued that the previous restrictions hindered economic growth and that the removal of these protections was necessary for progress in the helium industry.