The Alberta government has lifted habitat protections for the endangered greater sage grouse, a move that has raised concerns among conservationists. The changes, made through amendments to the Public Lands Act in July, removed safeguards in designated protection and recovery zones for the bird species. This decision coincided with the approval granted to helium extraction company Thor Resources to operate within the sage grouse habitat.

The greater sage grouse, classified as an endangered species by both the Alberta and federal governments, is on the brink of extinction in Alberta, with fewer than 100 birds remaining. The population decline of the sage grouse in Alberta has been drastic, experiencing a 98% decrease from 1968 to 2012 primarily due to habitat loss and industrial activities. Currently, the species occupies only about seven percent of its historical range.

University of Alberta ecology professor Mark Boyce, a long-time advocate for greater sage grouse conservation, expressed grave concerns over the removal of provincial protections. Boyce warned that the Alberta sage grouse population is now at a heightened risk of extinction, attributing the situation to the government’s disregard for conservation efforts.

According to Boyce, sage grouse are extremely sensitive to development, often abandoning their habitats due to disturbances like noise and human structures that attract predators. The professor criticized the prioritization of industrial development over wildlife conservation in Alberta, fearing that the sage grouse population may not survive the current threats.

Responding to criticisms, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas communications director Andrew Livingstone defended the decision to lift habitat protections, citing the need to streamline regulations and accommodate economic activities in southeastern Alberta. Livingstone emphasized the province’s commitment to a sage grouse recovery program that aims to strike a balance between conservation efforts and economic interests.

Conservationists, like Joshua Killeen from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, expressed dismay over the removal of habitat protections, stating that it undermines decades of conservation work. Killeen highlighted the significant risk posed to the survival of the species without adequate habitat protection, raising concerns about the potential loss of sage grouse from Alberta and Canada.

While federal protections for a portion of Alberta’s sage grouse habitat remain in place, the removal of provincial safeguards has left a critical gap in habitat protection. The lifting of habitat protections was reportedly influenced by industry demands, with the helium sector advocating for regulatory changes to facilitate economic activities in sage grouse territory.

Thor Resources, the helium extraction company at the center of the controversy, clarified that its operations within the sage grouse habitat would comply with certain environmental measures. However, the company acknowledged that the absence of specific habitat protection requirements for sage grouse in the revised regulations has altered their operational considerations.

Richard Dunn, executive director of the Helium Developers Association of Canada, defended the decision to remove habitat protections, arguing that the previous regulations were overly restrictive and hindered economic development. Dunn emphasized the importance of balancing environmental concerns with economic interests, suggesting that the changes were necessary for sustainable resource utilization.

The debate over habitat protections for the greater sage grouse continues to spark controversy, with environmentalists advocating for stronger conservation measures to safeguard the endangered species’ future in Alberta.