Saving the sage-grouseIntroductionThe Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus urophasianus) is listed as ‘endan-gered’ under Canada’s Species at Risk Act. These birds, the largest of all North American grouse, are best known for their spectacular courtship dance.

Canada’s sage-grouse are found only in Alberta and Saskatchewan, where they depend on silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana) for food and shelter.

These birds share their habitat with many other prairie species, including the burrowing owl, swift fox and Great Plains toad.

Population declinesBetween 1988 and 2006, nearly 90 per cent of Canada’s sage-grouse died off.

As of 2011, there are thought to be only 13 males remaining in Alberta, with the total provin-cial population estimated at approximately 30 birds. Only 42 males were counted at active breeding grounds or ‘leks’ in Saskatchewan in 2010.

Based on the current trajectory of their decline and in the absence of meanful protection by the provinces, scientists predict that Alberta’s sage-grouse population will be gone as early as 2012, with Saskatchewan’s population disappearing by 2021.

photos courtesy of wayne lynch

Critical habitat needsSage-grouse need large blocks of unfragmented sagebrush grassland habitat to thrive.

Their range in Canada has been reduced to only six per cent of its historic extent because of habitat loss and degradation. Now, these birds are only found in Alberta’s southeast corner and southwest Saskatchewan. Provincial laws, however, are not protecting sage-grouse and their habitat from threats posed by oil, gas and other industrial development, which is why immediate federal action is required.

Sage-grouse are highly sensitive to disturbance. Research shows that, when confronted with oil and gas development, sage-grouse abandon their leks (central courting and breeding grounds) and other crucial habitats, which reduces their ability to survive and thrive. Here are some statistics:

• Mortality rates of sage-grouse chicks increase 1.5 times for every energy well visible within one kilometre of the brood.

• Sage-grouse have been found to abandon leks in response to the presence of active energy wells or haul roads within 6.4 km of the lek.

• Sage-grouse will avoid or abandon habitat essential for their survival during the winter if there is oil and gas development within 1.9 km of their habitat.

Although some critical habitat has been identified in the species’ recovery strategy (as required by law), the federal government admits that the amount identified is insufficient for the species’ survival and recovery.

The federal government also possesses the information necessary to designate further critical habitat for sage-grouse. So far, it has has failed to do so.

For more information and to see our video on the sage-grouse, visit ecojustice.ca.

ALBERTA SASKATCHEWAN

Fig. 1 - Map of legally-designated sage-grouse habitat areas

source: cameron aldridge

What’s an emergency order?Under section 80 of Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA), Cabinet has the power to make an emergency order to protect important habitat of an endangered species anywhere in Canada.

The emergency order can prohibit any activity that may harm the species or the habitat necessary for its survival or recovery. Without this kind of order, SARA provides little pro-tection for most species on provincial lands.

Why petition the federal environment minister?The federal environment minister has a mandatory duty to recommend that Cabinet make an emergency order if he or she is of the opinion that the species faces “imminent threats to its survival or recovery.”

The recent rapid decline of the sage-grouse presents what is perhaps the most compelling example in the history of SARA of imminent threats to a species’ survival or recovery. If the Minister refuses to recommend an emergency order in these circumstances, there would seem to be little point to SARA’s emergency order provisions.

What would an emergency order do to protect the sage-grouse?In Canada, 84 per cent of species at risk, including sage-grouse, are in decline because of habitat loss or degradation. Sage-grouse urgently need meaningful habitat protection in order to survive and recover. We are asking for an emergency order that follows the best-available science on what sage-grouse need to survive in Canada. Such an order would include:

• Protection of all sage-grouse nesting, brood-rearing and winter habitat, including a 1.9 km buffer around those areas, from further industrial activity, including oil and gas development/infrastructure;

• Protection of all leks, including a 6.4 km buffer, from further industrial activity, including oil and gas development/infrastructure;

• Reclamation and restoration of sage-grouse habitat already degraded or disturbed by existing development/activities.

FAQ