Source: http://registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=9A174B36-1
Timestamp: 2018-08-17 02:22:04
Document Index: 648965332

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4']

Species at Risk Public Registry - Order Amending Schedule 1 to the Species at Risk Act, Vol. 151, No. 12
Order Amending Schedule 1 to the Species at Risk Act , Vol. 151, No. 12
SOR/2017-112 June 2, 2017
P.C. 2017-571 June 2, 2017
1 Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Species at Risk Act (see footnote 1) is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order under the heading “Arthropods”:
2 Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order under the heading “Amphibians”:
5 Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Act is amended by striking out the following under the heading “Plants”:
6 Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the Act is amended by striking out the following under the heading “Amphibians”:
7 Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order under the heading “Amphibians”:
8 Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the Act is amended by striking out the following under the heading “Reptiles”:
11 Part 4 of Schedule 1 to the Act is amended by striking out the following under the heading “Amphibians”:
12 Part 4 of Schedule 1 to the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order under the heading “Plants”:
13 Part 4 of Schedule 1 to the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order under the heading “Lichens”:
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), a non-government, independent body of scientific experts, has assessed the following 14 species as being at risk in Canada:
Pursuant to section 27 of the Species at Risk Act (“SARA” or the “Act”), the Governor in Council (GIC) (see footnote 5) is making the Order Amending Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act to add or reclassify these species to Schedule 1 of the Act.
Canada’s natural heritage is an integral part of its national identity and history. Wildlife is valued by Canadians for aesthetic, cultural, spiritual, recreational, educational, historical, subsistence, medical, ecological and scientific reasons. Canadian wildlife species and ecosystems are also part of the world’s heritage. (see footnote 6) Part of the Department of the Environment’s mandate is to preserve and enhance the quality of the natural environment, including flora and fauna. Although the responsibility for the conservation of wildlife in Canada is shared among governments, the Department of the Environment plays a leadership role as federal regulator in order to prevent species from becoming extinct (see footnote 7) or extirpated (see footnote 8) from Canada. The Parks Canada Agency contributes to the protection and conservation of these species within its network of protected heritage places, (see footnote 9) including national parks and national marine conservation areas.
The primary federal legislative mechanism for delivering on this responsibility is Canada’s Species at Risk Act. The purposes of SARA are to prevent wildlife species from becoming extirpated from Canada or extinct; to provide for recovery of wildlife species that are listed as extirpated, endangered or threatened; and to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened. At the time of proclamation in 2003, the official list of wildlife species at risk (Schedule 1 of SARA) included 233 species. Since then, on the recommendation of the Minister of the Environment, the GIC has amended the list on a number of occasions to add, remove or reclassify species. There are currently 532 species listed on Schedule 1 of SARA, which classifies those species as being extirpated, endangered, threatened, or special concern. (see footnote 10)
With the proclamation of SARA in 2003, the Act established the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as the body responsible for providing the Minister of the Environment with assessments of the status of Canadian wildlife species that are potentially at risk of disappearing from Canada. The assessments are carried out in accordance with section 15 of SARA, which, among other provisions, requires COSEWIC to determine the status of species it considers and identify existing and potential threats. COSEWIC meets twice annually to review information collected on wildlife species and assigns each wildlife species to one of seven categories: extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened, special concern, data deficient, or not at risk. (see footnote 11)
Subsequent to the consultations and required analysis being carried out, the Governor in Council formally acknowledges its receipt of the COSEWIC assessments. This then triggers a regulatory process through a proposed Order whereby the Governor in Council may, within nine months of the receipt, on the recommendation of the Minister
add a wildlife species to Schedule 1 of SARA according to COSEWIC’s status assessment;
not add the wildlife species to Schedule 1; or
This table shows the Summary of Protections Offered to Wildlife Species and their residences immediately upon their Addition to Schedule 1 of SARA.
Special concern SARA’s general prohibitions are not applicable (SARA’s general prohibitions do not apply for species of special concern). SARA’s general prohibitions do not apply. SARA’s residence protection does not apply.
In the provinces, general prohibitions apply only on federal lands. (see footnote 12)
On non-federal lands, listed species that are not an aquatic species or a migratory bird protected by the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 can only be protected under SARA by an order made by the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of the Environment. (see footnote 13) The Minister of the Environment must recommend that such an order be made if the Minister is of the opinion that the laws of the province or territory do not effectively protect the species or the residences of its individuals.
Requirements under SARA for the protection of critical habitat depends on whether the species are aquatic, migratory birds protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA) or other species as well as whether these species are found on federal lands, in the exclusive economic zone, on the continental shelf of Canada or elsewhere in Canada.
In the case of critical habitat identified on federal land but not found in the protected areas listed above, the competent minister must, within 180 days following the identification of this habitat in a final posted recovery strategy or action plan, either make a ministerial order to apply subsection 58(1) of SARA, prohibiting the destruction of this critical habitat, or publish on the SAR Public Registry a statement explaining how the critical habitat (or portions of it) is protected under another Act of Parliament, including conservation agreements under section 11 of the Act.
For portions of critical habitat on non-federal lands, SARA contemplates the protection of the critical habitat by other governments (e.g. provinces and territories). In the event that critical habitat is not protected in these areas, the Governor in Council may, by order, prohibit the destruction of that critical habitat. In cases where the Minister of the Environment is of the opinion that critical habitat on non-federal lands is not effectively protected by the laws of a province or territory, by another measure under SARA (including agreements under section 11) or through any other federal legislation, the Minister must recommend an order to the Governor in Council. Before making the recommendation, the Minister must consult with the appropriate provincial or territorial ministers. In all cases, the Governor in Council makes the final decision whether to proceed with an order to protect the critical habitat in question. (see footnote 14)
A person intending to engage in an activity affecting a listed species, any part of its critical habitat or the residences of its individuals and that is prohibited under SARA may apply to the competent minister (see footnote 15) for a permit under section 73 of the Act. A permit may be issued if the Minister is of the opinion that the activity meets one of these three purposes:
affecting the species is incidental to the carrying out of the activity. (see footnote 16)
The addition of a species as special concern to Schedule 1 of SARA serves as an early indication that the species requires attention. Triggering the development of a management plan at this stage helps enable the species to be managed proactively, maximizes the probability of success, and is expected to avoid higher-cost measures in the future. SARA does not require that critical habitat be identified for species of special concern.
V- New designatable units
Through the definition of wildlife species as a “species, subspecies, varieties or geographically or genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organism”, the Species at Risk Act recognizes that conservation of biological diversity requires protection for taxonomic entities below the species level (i.e. designatable units), and gives COSEWIC a mandate to assess those entities when warranted. These designatable units and their proposed classification (e.g. endangered, threatened, species of special concern) are presented in COSEWIC assessments in the same way as with other wildlife species. In some cases, based on scientific evidence, wildlife species that were previously assessed may be reassessed and recognized to include fewer, additional or different designatable units. COSEWIC will publish assessments and classifications for any designatable units that may or may not correspond to the previously recognized wildlife species.
The objective of the Order Amending Schedule 1 to the Species at Risk Act (the Order) is to help maintain Canada’s biodiversity and the health of Canadian ecosystems by preventing wildlife species from becoming extirpated or extinct from Canada and contribute to their recovery.
The Order adds eight terrestrial species to Schedule 1 of SARA and reclassifies six currently listed species, as shown in Table 2 below. These species were grouped together because they are found primarily in the same geographical area, namely in central and eastern Canada (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador).
A description of each species, its ranges and threats is found in Schedule 1. Additional information on these species can also be found in the COSEWIC status reports. (see footnote 17)
Table 2 -- Modifications to Schedule 1 of SARA for 14 wildlife species
This table shows the modifications to Schedule1 of SARA for 14 wildlife species.
Salamander, Jefferson Ambystoma jeffersonianum Up-listing from threatened to endangered Ontario
Salamander, Northern Dusky Desmognathus fuscus New listing as endangered Ontario
Salamander, Spring (Adirondack / Appalachian population) (see footnote 18) Gyrinophilus porphyriticus New listing as threatened Quebec
Beetle, American Burying Nicrophorus americanus New listing as extirpated Ontario, Quebec
Beetle, Hungerford’s Crawling Water Brychius hungerfordi New listing as endangered Ontario
Clubtail, Skillet Gomphus ventricosus New listing as endangered New Brunswick
Emerald, Hine’s Somatochlora hineana New listing as endangered Ontario
Lichen, Blue Felt Degelia plumbea New listing as special concern New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador
Baccharis, Eastern Baccharis halimifolia New listing as threatened Nova Scotia
Goldencrest Lophiola aurea Down-listing from threatened to special concern Nova Scotia
Iris, Dwarf Lake Iris lacustris Down-listing from threatened to special concern Ontario
Thistle, Pitcher’s Cirsium pitcheri Down-listing from endangered to special concern Ontario
Twayblade, Purple Liparis liliifolia Down-listing from endangered to threatened Ontario, Quebec
Gartersnake, Butler’s Thamnophis butleri Up-listing from threatened to endangered Ontario
The quantitative and qualitative incremental impacts (benefits and costs) of the Order were analyzed. Incremental impacts are defined as the differences between the baseline scenario and a scenario in which the Order is implemented over the same period. The baseline scenario includes activities ongoing on federal lands where a species is found and incorporates any projected changes over the next 10 years (2017–2026) that would occur without the Order in place.
An analytical period of 10 years (2017–2026) was selected, as the status of the species must be reassessed by COSEWIC every 10 years. (see footnote 19) Costs provided in present value terms are discounted at 3% to a base year of 2017. All costs are in 2016 constant dollars.
Overall, the Order is expected to benefit the environment and culture of Canadians.
Endangered, threatened and extirpated species will benefit from the development of recovery strategies and action plans that identify the main threats to species’ survival, as well as identify, when possible, the habitat that is necessary for their survival and recovery in Canada. Special concern species will benefit from the development of a management plan, which includes measures for the conservation of the species. These documents will enable coordinated action by responsible land management authorities wherever the species are found in Canada. Improved coordination among authorities increases the likelihood of species survival. This process will also provide an opportunity to consider the impact of measures to recover the species and to consult with Indigenous Peoples and stakeholders. These activities may be augmented by actions from local governments, stakeholders and/or Indigenous Peoples to protect species and habitats, for example, through projects funded through the Habitat Stewardship Program, which requires support and matching funds from other sources. These projects enhance the ability to understand and respond effectively to the conservation needs of these species and their habitats.
The special concern designation will also serve as an early indication that the species requires attention due to a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats, and will help enable the species to be managed proactively, maximizing the probability of success and potentially preventing higher-cost measures in the future. For species that are being down-listed to special concern, an incremental benefit will be that management efforts for the species reflect the best available scientific information, as provided by COSEWIC, in order to ensure that the species are protected according to the purposes of SARA, while minimizing impacts on Indigenous Peoples, stakeholders and resources. Since for these species SARA’s general prohibitions no longer apply, there are avoided costs to Indigenous Peoples and stakeholders who no longer need to apply for a permit or mitigate their practices to respect the prohibitions.
A benefit of reclassifying species from threatened to endangered or vice versa will be that the designation will be consistent with the best available scientific information, as provided by COSEWIC, thus allowing for better decision-making regarding the species in terms of its conservation prioritization. For Butler’s Gartersnake and the Jefferson Salamander, which are being up-listed from threatened to endangered, this will also provide national recognition that these species are facing higher risks of extirpation or extinction.
It is also important to note that preventing the extirpation of a given species is an integral part of maintaining biodiversity in Canada and conserving Canada’s natural heritage. More diverse ecosystems are generally more stable, and thus the benefits (goods and services) they provide are also more stable over time. (see footnote 20)
Largely due to the low costs estimated to be associated with the Order (see below), a complete analysis of how Canadians benefit from the ecosystem goods and services associated with these species was not conducted.
Federal government costs for recovery strategy, action plan or management plan development, permit applications and issuance, compliance promotion and enforcement;
There may also be costs to Indigenous peoples and stakeholders of voluntarily participating in the process of recovery strategy, action plan or management plan development. These costs could vary widely depending upon the species in question and the chosen level of engagement, and so could not be estimated.
As indicated above, if critical habitat is identified on federal land, protection must be afforded either by ensuring that the critical habitat is protected under existing federal laws including conservation agreements under section 11 of SARA or, if it is not already protected under federal laws, by issuing a ministerial order to prohibit the destruction of critical habitat. Since critical habitat is only identified in a recovery strategy or action plan following the listing stage, the extent of critical habitat identification is unknown. Thus, the need for, and the form of, future critical habitat protection measures on federal lands are not known at the time of the listing. Hence, the analysis of potential changes to critical habitat protections resulting from this Order is illustrative, based upon best available information at this stage.
It is important to note a distinction regarding critical habitat on non-federal lands. If any critical habitat identified on non-federal lands is, in the opinion of the minister, insufficiently protected, the minister must make a recommendation to the Governor in Council for a critical habitat protection order. The Governor in Council has the discretion to determine the scope of the order and whether or not an order should be made. As a result, the potential for critical habitat protection on non-federal lands is not considered an incremental impact of the Order.
The Department of the Environment’s assessment of the Order indicated that the cost impacts will be low. This is because each species falls within at least one of four groups associated with minimal costs and impacts on Indigenous Peoples and stakeholders, as described below.
1. Listing or reclassification as special concern
Four species will be listed or reclassified as special concern: Blue Felt Lichen, Dwarf Lake Iris, Goldencrest and Pitcher’s Thistle.
The development of management plans is expected to cost the Government of Canada approximately $10,000 per species, for an undiscounted total of $40,000 for all species in this group.
Three species will be reclassified between threatened and endangered designations: Butler’s Gartersnake, Jefferson Salamander and Purple Twayblade.
Updates to recovery strategies and action plans for these species may be required following reclassification. However, the cost of updating these documents will be less than the development of new recovery strategies and action plans. It is estimated that the cost to government of updating recovery strategies and action plans is $20,000 per species, resulting in an estimated total cost of $60,000 for the three species in this group.
The following species have not been found on federal lands, were not previously listed in Schedule 1 of SARA and were assessed by COSEWIC as endangered, threatened or extirpated: American Burying Beetle, Eastern Baccharis, Hine’s Emerald, Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle, and Northern Dusky Salamander (Carolinian population). One species -- the Spring Salamander -- is being divided into two populations and the newly recognized Adirondack / Appalachian population will be designated as threatened.
Given that search efforts have not recorded any populations of these species on federal lands, the general prohibitions are not expected to be triggered, resulting in no new impacts on Indigenous Peoples or stakeholders. Additionally, no critical habitat is likely to be identified for these species on federal lands in the future, limiting the possibility for a ministerial critical habitat protection order.
Efforts to recover these species through the development of both a recovery strategy and action plan is estimated to cost Government of Canada between $40,000 and $50,000 per species.
The total undiscounted cost to the Government of Canada for the species in this group is then estimated at between $240,000 and $300,000.
4. Species that are known to be found on one federal property
Although the SARA general prohibitions will apply in the NWA upon listing, the Wildlife Area Regulations (WAR) under the Canada Wildlife Act (CWA) already afford species certain protections in NWAs by prohibiting hunting, possession, damage, destruction or molestation of species, eggs and nests. (see footnote 21) Therefore, in most cases, the SARA general prohibitions will not result in incremental changes within the NWA. A person wishing to perform an activity in any NWA is already required to obtain a permit under the Wildlife Area Regulations, so a separate permit under SARA will likely not be required. Therefore, if critical habitat for this species is identified in the NWA following its listing, the incremental change due to the Order will likely be small.
It is estimated that the development of a recovery plan and action plan for the Skillet Clubtail will cost the Government of Canada approximately $40,000 to $50,000.
Given the analysis above, the overall costs to the Government of Canada of listing these species are anticipated to be low and low costs are anticipated for Indigenous peoples and stakeholders. Costs will arise from the development of recovery strategies, action plans or management plans that are required when a species is listed under SARA, and from compliance promotion and enforcement activities.
Based on the list of species included in the Order, an overall cost to the federal government is estimated at $508,000 to $570,000 in present value terms over 10 years (2017–2026), discounted at 3% to a base year of 2017. Of this amount, approximately $162,000 (present value) over 10 years is estimated for compliance promotion and enforcement activities. This number reflects an estimated cost of $5,000 for compliance promotion in the first year, and an annual enforcement cost of approximately $18,000 for 10 years.
There could be some implications for projects (see footnote 22) required to undergo an environmental assessment by or under an Act of Parliament (hereafter referred to as federal EA). However, any costs are expected to be minimal relative to the total costs of performing a federal EA. Once a species is listed in SARA Schedule 1, under any designation, additional requirements under section 79 of SARA are triggered for project proponents and government officials undertaking a federal EA. These requirements include identifying all adverse effects that the project could have on the species and its critical habitat and, if the project is carried out, to ensure that measures are taken to avoid or lessen those effects and to monitor them. However, the Department of the Environment always recommends to proponents in EA guidelines (early in the EA process) to evaluate effects on species already assessed by COSEWIC that may become listed on Schedule 1 of SARA in the near future.
The “One-for-One” Rule does not apply because the additions to Schedule 1 of SARA do not impose new administrative costs on business.
Under SARA, the scientific assessment of wildlife species’ status conducted by COSEWIC and the decision made by the Governor in Council to afford legal protection by placing a wildlife species on Schedule 1 of the Act are two distinct processes. This separation guarantees that scientists may work independently when assessing the biological status of wildlife species and that Canadians have the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process in determining whether or not wildlife species will be listed under SARA and thus receive legal protections.
The Government of Canada recognizes that the conservation of wildlife is a joint responsibility and that the best way to secure the survival of species at risk and their habitats is through the active participation of all those concerned. SARA’s preamble stipulates that all Canadians have a role to play in preventing the disappearance of wildlife species from our lands. One of the ways that Canadians can get involved is by sharing comments concerning the addition or reclassification of terrestrial species to Schedule 1 of SARA. Comments are considered in relation to the potential consequences of whether or not a species is included on Schedule 1, and comments received from those who will be most affected by the proposed changes are given particular attention. All comments received feed into the proposed listing recommendations from the Minister to the Governor in Council.
The Department of the Environment begins initial public consultations with the posting of the Minister’s response statements on the Species at Risk Public Registry within 90 days of receiving a copy of an assessment of the status of a wildlife species from COSEWIC. Indigenous peoples, stakeholders, organizations, and the general public are also consulted by means of a publicly posted document titled Consultation on Amending the List of Species under the Species at Risk Act: Terrestrial Species. This was published in December 2011 (10 species (see footnote 23)) and December 2012 (4 species (see footnote 24)) for the species included in this Order.
Consultations prior to results summary
A total of 10 written comments were received from 9 different Indigenous organizations and stakeholders. Most comments were generally supportive of COSEWIC’s assessments and of adding the species to Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act. A few stakeholders expressed their interest in contributing to the recovery planning process or highlighted ways that they are taking action to protect some of the species. Comments were received from two Indigenous organizations, three environmental nongovernmental organizations, one business, one federal government department and two individuals.
The proposed Order and accompanying Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on October 22, 2016, for a 30-day comment period. Links to these documents were also posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry and a notice of the consultation period was sent using social media via Twitter.
Six respondents provided feedback during this consultation period. Of these, one First Nation, an indigenous organization, and a public utility company indicated that they had no further comment to provide concerning the specific species in their respective province. Another First Nation highlighted their limited capacity to respond to these consultation efforts. They also expressed their ongoing commitment to a partnership to address the knowledge gaps identified in the management plan of the Spring Salamander (Adirondack/Appalachian population).
One provincial government department opposed the proposal for the Spring Salamander (Adirondack/Appalachian population) and the American Burying Beetle. In their view, these species are already sufficiently protected. The Department of the Environment notes that, in their assessment report of the Spring Salamander (Adirondack/Appalachian population), COSEWIC stated that the species’ habitat is threatened by several kinds of development that may alter either the water availability in the streams where this species occurs or affect its habitat by reducing shade, altering stream temperatures and increasing silt. In the case of the American Burying Beetle, this species is proposed for listing as extirpated, meaning that no individuals of this species remain alive in Canada.
One environmental non-governmental organization expressed their support for the listing proposals of all the species in the proposed Order.
The Department also received a letter from the Chair of COSEWIC requesting that the assessment of the Spring Salamander (Carolinian population) be referred-back to COSEWIC for further information or consideration. When COSEWIC assessed the Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) in 2011, it assigned a status of extirpated to the Carolinian population. Since that time, new information has become available regarding this population and COSEWIC has requested the opportunity to consider it in their assessment of the status of the species. Therefore, the Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) Carolinian population has been removed from the Order.
Detailed results of the prior consultation and public comments from the Canada Gazette, Part I, for all 14 species are provided in Annex 1.
Biodiversity is crucial to ecosystem productivity, health and resiliency, yet is rapidly declining worldwide as species become extinct. (see footnote 25) The Order supports the survival and recovery of 14 species at risk in Canada, thus contributing to the maintenance of biodiversity in Canada. In the case of endangered or threatened species, they will be protected on federal lands through the general prohibitions of SARA, including prohibitions on killing, harming, harassing, capturing, possessing, collecting, buying, selling and trading. In addition, these species will benefit from the development of recovery strategies and action plans that identify the main threats to species survival, as well as identify, when possible, the critical habitat that is necessary for their survival and recovery in Canada. Species listed as special concern will benefit from the development of a management plan, which includes measures for the conservation of the species.
In 1992, Canada signed the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which committed the federal government to “[conserve] biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out the utilization of genetic resources”. (see footnote 26) The Species at Risk Act (SARA) was designed as a key tool for the conservation and protection of Canada’s biological diversity and the Order helps fulfill this important commitment under the CBD.
The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) concluded that the Order results in important positive environmental effects. Specifically, that the protection of wild animal and plant species at risk contributes to national biodiversity and protects ecosystems productivity, health and resiliency. Given the interdependency of species, a loss of biodiversity can lead to decreases in ecosystem function and services. These services are important to the health of Canadians, and also have important ties to Canada’s economy. For example, carbon sequestration can help mitigate climate change related economic repercussions such as property damage due to floods or other weather events. (see footnote 27) Small changes within an ecosystem resulting in the loss of individuals and species can result in adverse, irreversible and broad-ranging effects.
This proposal has direct links with the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy 2016–2019 (FSDS). (see footnote 28) The amendments to Schedule 1 of SARA will have important environmental effects and support the goal of “Healthy wildlife populations” of the FSDS. Under this goal, these amendments will help fulfill the target that “By 2020, species that are secure remain secure, and populations of species at risk listed under federal law exhibit trends that are consistent with recovery strategies and management plans.”
The overall costs to Government of listing these species are limited to Government actions related to recovery and management plan development, and are anticipated to be low and to be covered by existing program funding.
Following the listing, the Department of the Environment and the Parks Canada Agency will implement a compliance promotion plan. Compliance promotion initiatives are proactive measures that encourage voluntary compliance with the law through education and outreach activities and raise awareness and understanding of the prohibitions. Potentially affected Indigenous peoples and stakeholders will be reached to
These objectives will be accomplished through the creation and dissemination of information products explaining the new prohibitions applicable on federal lands where they relate to those 14 species, the recovery planning process that follows listing and how stakeholders can get involved, as well as general information on each of the species. These resources will be posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry. Mail-outs and presentations to targeted audiences may also be considered as appropriate.
In Parks Canada Heritage Places, (see footnote 29) front line staff is given the appropriate information regarding the species at risk found within their sites to inform visitors on prevention measures and engage them in the protection and conservation of species at risk.
The Permits Authorizing an Activity Affecting Listed Wildlife Species Regulations, which came into effect on June 19, 2013, impose a 90-day timeline on the Government to either issue or refuse permits under section 73 of SARA to authorize activities that may affect listed wildlife species. The 90-day timeline may not apply in certain circumstances. These Regulations contribute to consistency, predictability and transparency in the SARA permitting process by providing applicants with clear and measurable service standards. The Department of the Environment measures its service performance annually and performance information is posted on the department’s website (see footnote 30) no later than June 1 for the preceding fiscal year.
Following the publication of the proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I, one comment was received supporting the listing of all the species. One opposing comment was received from a provincial government department concerning the proposal for the American Burying Beetle.
Following the publication of the proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I, one comment was received supporting the listing of all the species. No comments specific to the Blue Felt Lichen were received.
Following the publication of the proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I, one comment was received supporting the listing of all the species. No comments specific to Butler’s Gartersnake were received.
In Canada, Dwarf Lake Iris grows on alvars, (see footnote 31) dolostone bedrock shorelines, sand or gravel beach ridges, and in openings in coniferous woodlands. The majority of populations are within 500 m of the shore of Lake Huron, but the largest ones occur up to several kilometres from the lake. There are 40 extant populations in Canada (all in Ontario) totalling about 50 million stems, as well as 80 sites in Michigan and 15 in Wisconsin. The current Canadian range runs from southern Bruce County north to Tobermory and along the south shore of Manitoulin Island from the Owen Channel to the Carter Bay area, with a disjunct population at Belanger Bay.
Following the publication of the proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I, one comment was received supporting the listing of all the species. No comments specific to the Dwarf Lake Iris were received.
New information about the distribution of Dwarf Lake Iris is now available and shows the species to be much more extensive and abundant than previously reported, justifying the species to be down-listed to a special concern status. In 2004, COSEWIC estimated the total Dwarf Lake Iris population in Ontario to be approximately one million ramets. (see footnote 32) However, with the discovery of new populations, more comprehensive surveys of previously known sites, and a re-evaluation of existing data, the population is now estimated at over 50 million ramets. In its 2010 assessment, COSEWIC notes that this increase is not the result of growth by the species, but a result of better surveying.
In Canada, Eastern Baccharis is rare and localized -- the total number of mature individuals in Canada is estimated at 2 850 and they are found along the extreme southwestern coast of Nova Scotia. The species is located more than 400 km away from the next nearest occurrence in northern Massachusetts. The species is restricted to open margins of well-developed salt marshes within harbours or bays that provide protection from wind and waves.
Following the publication of the proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I, one comment was received supporting the listing of all the species. No comments specific to the Eastern Baccharis were received.
Following the publication of the proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I, one comment was received supporting the listing of all the species. No comments specific to the Goldencrest were received.
Following the publication of the proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I, one comment was received supporting the listing of all the species. No comments specific to the Hine’s Emerald were received.
Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle is endemic to the Great Lakes region, with approximately 40% of its distribution in Canada, all in Ontario. The species is restricted to five streams in three counties (Emmet, Montmorency and Presque Isle) in northern Michigan and to three rivers (the Rankin, the North Saugeen and the Saugeen) in Bruce County, Ontario. Over the last 10 years, the possible loss of one of three locations in Ontario has been documented.
Following the publication of the proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I, one comment was received supporting the listing of all the species. No comments specific to the Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle were received.
Following the publication of the proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I, one comment was received supporting the listing of all the species. No comments specific to the Jefferson Salamander were received.
Following the publication of the proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I, one comment was received supporting the listing of all the species. No comments specific to the Northern Dusky Salamander were received.
The Carolinian population of this species is restricted to one small creek along the escarpment of the Niagara Gorge, downstream from Niagara Falls, and is sustained by groundwater seepage on the steep slope of a gorge vulnerable to erosion, atmospheric deposition of pollutants and habitat acidification. The population is small and susceptible to ecological, demographic and genetic stochasticity. (see footnote 33)
Following the publication of the proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I, one comment was received supporting the listing of all the species. No comments specific to the Pitcher’s Thistle were received.
The Purple Twayblade is a terrestrial perennial orchid arising from a bulbous corm. (see footnote 34) The plant attains a height of about 25 cm. A flowering stalk of 5 to 33 flowers arises from the centre of two oval to elliptical fleshy leaves. Flowers consist of a prominent, broad, violet-mauve lip (10–14 mm long) streaked with a fine network of reddish-purple veins. Because Purple Twayblade is a rare orchid, it is of considerable interest to naturalists and photographers.
Following the publication of the proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I, one comment was received supporting the listing of all the species. No comments specific to the Purple Twayblade were received.
Following the publication of the proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I, one comment was received supporting the listing of all the species. No comments specific to the Skillet Clubtail were received.
Following the publication of the proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I, one comment was received supporting the listing of all the species. One comment opposing the listing of the Spring Salamander (Adirondack/Appalachian population) was received from a provincial government department. One First Nation expressed their ongoing commitment to a partnership to address the knowledge gaps identified in the management plan of the Spring Salamander published in 2014.
COSEWIC defines an extinct species as a wildlife species that no longer exists. http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=29E94A2D-1#e.
Federal land means (a) land that belongs to Her Majesty in right of Canada, or that Her Majesty in right of Canada has the power to dispose of, and all waters on and airspace above that land; (b) the internal waters of Canada and the territorial sea of Canada;
and (c) reserves and any other lands that are set apart for the use and benefit of a band under the Indian Act, and all waters on and airspace above those reserves and lands.
Species at Risk Act Permitting Policy (http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/document/default_e.cfm?documentID=2983).
COSEWIC recognized the currently listed Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) as two separate wildlife species under SARA. The Order strikes Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) from Schedule 1 and adds this new designatable unit. The second designatable unit is referred back to COSEWIC.
Cardinale et al., 2012. [Cardinale, J.; Emmett, Duffy; Gonzalez, Andrew; Hooper, David U.; Perrings, Charles; Venail, Patrick; Narwani, Anita; Mace, Georgina M.; Tilman, David; Wardle, David A.; Kinzig, Ann P.; Daily, Gretchen C.; Loreau, Michel; Grace, B.; Larigauderie, Anne; Srivastava, Diane S.; Naeem, Shahid.] “Biodiversity loss and its impact on humanity.” Nature. 486: 56–67. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v486/n7401/full/nature11148.html
Hine’s Emerald, Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle, Skillet Clubtail, Blue Felt Lichen, Spring Salamander (Adirondack / Appalachian population), Jefferson Salamander, Butler’s Gartersnake, Pitcher’s Thistle, Dwarf Lake Iris and Purple Twayblade.
OECD. 2015. The economic consequences of climate change. OECD Publishing, Paris. http://www.oecd.org/env/theeconomic-consequences-of-climate-change-9789264235410en.htm.
A corm is an underground stem where a plant stores its food.