Decision on Sage Grouse to be celebrated . . . with caution!
Their habitat requirements and ranges have been carefully documented, studied and described by researchers, particularly Dr. Cameron Aldridge, who is the world expert on this species. Despite this detailed knowledge, the Canadian government refused to identify critical habitat for this species in its recovery strategy – an obligation under the federal Species as Risk Act.
Several groups including Ecojustice and two of our Canadian Nature Network affiliates, the Federation of Alberta Naturalists and Nature Saskatchewan, along with the Alberta Wilderness Association, Grasslands Naturalists, and Western Canada Wilderness Committee took the federal government to task in launching the legal action. While Nature Canada did not directly participate in this suit, we provided an affidavit to the court as we were instrumental in drawing attention to the flawed recovery strategy that was posted on the public registry.
Before we rejoice in this victory, let’s ensure that the habitat actually gets protected. Much of it is on community pasture, owned by either federal or provincial governments and threatened by potential gas wells, irrigation projects, and wind farms.
Ted Cheskey