Greater local input in caribou recovery planning

A Woodland caribou bull is shown in an undated handout photo. A U.S. environment group says satellite imagery proves a much lauded agreement between Canada's logging industry and environmental groups to protect boreal caribou habitat was a failure. HO / THE CANADIAN PRESS

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A media release from the Government of Alberta has indicated an establishment of three sub-regional caribou task forces in Alberta, local perspectives will be playing a larger role in the caribou recovery plan.

Created in August, these task forces will provide the government with insight into land-use planning on a local scale.

The release indicated the task forces are made of representatives from municipalities, Indigenous communities, industry, recreational users and environmental non-government organizations.

They will focus on the northwest, northeast, and west-central areas of Alberta, where caribou habitats exist.

“In accordance with our commitments made during the election, we are looking to develop a common-sense approach to protecting Alberta’s woodland caribou populations while balancing economic and employment concerns,” said Jason Nixon, minister of environment and parks. “We will be engaging experts and stakeholders in a variety of areas to create a made-in-Alberta solution that protects jobs and access while ensuring woodland caribou populations thrive long-term.”

Tim McMillan, president and CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers said he is pleased the government is making this a priority and engaging the local population.

“Regional perspectives should be considered in land-use planning and caribou recovery, and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers appreciates the opportunity to participate in the process,” he said.

Maryann Chichak, mayor of Whitecourt, said the creation of these task forces involving key stakeholders is “fundamental in continuing to move this file forward.”

“As a municipal leader, I believe these task forces will help to ensure the overall sustainability of caribou in Alberta, and ensure that a land use-centred foundation is utilized that considers all users of the land base,” she said. “Having municipalities at the table provides for a balanced approach to consider the socio-economic impacts of potential plans from a sustainability and viability perspective.”

The release stated that the province will work with industry and local communities over the summer to nominate representatives for the sub-regional task forces.

“Other stakeholders and affected land users will have opportunities to contribute to working groups or planning committees working under the guidance of the task forces,” it said.

The task forces will hopefully begin their work this fall.

Albertans have the opportunity to shape sub-regional range plans that result from the recommendations of the task forces through a public engagement process.

The province is also gathering public feedback on the draft agreement with the federal government for caribou recovery. Albertans can provide their feedback at until Oct. 6.