By Cheryl Jahn

Communities Concerned Over Caribou Recovery Plans

Dec 7, 2018 | 10:33 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – Backcountry users and industry alike on united on one single issue that has arisen in the southern Peace country. The pending Species At Risk legislation around the Southern Mountain Woodland caribou could very well put an end to any activity in a huge portion of that part of the province.

“They’re going to work collectively with the provincial government to set up conservation areas in order to protect the remaining caribou herds,” explains Mike Morris, the MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie, whose riding will be impacted. “But it’s a pretty heavy stick and it has the potential to virtually shut down those regions for any activity at all that could be detrimental to that conservation plan. So we look at resource development, which is a big impact. It’s the backbone of British Columbia’s economy. But we also look at outdoor recreational activities. Snowmobiling, hunting, trapping.”    

There are rumours a coal mine in Tumbler Ridge, a mill in Chetwynd, and countless other operations may be in peril. In fact, so concerned is industry, four of the forestry operations in the affected areas pulled together a joint briefing note, outlining their concerns. In it they write:

“Most recently, we are told that the impacts of these land use designation and management regimes will result in AAC (Annual Allowable Cut) reductions of approximately 300,000 m3. We remain completely unconvinced, based on the information we have been provided, that these impacts will only be 300,000 m3 – our review suggests the AAC impact could easily be twice that amount.” It goes on to state that the decisions are being made “.. in the absence of forest industry consultation.”

“The forest products industry strongly encourages local government leadership to continue their advocacy efforts with the provincial and federal governments. Communities should demand a more inclusive engagement process, complete with a robust socio-economic analysis of proposed land use decision that will impact the livelihoods of those who depend directly and indirectly on the forest products industry of BC.”

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And those sentiments are expressed by local government. At its January meeting, 90% of Canadian municipalities endorsed a resolution urging the Government of Canada to …”endorse municipal involvement as recognized partners in the exploration of conservation agreements under sections 11 and 13 of the Species at Risk Act, to take measures in the near-term to ensure that local governments are meaningful partners in recovery plans required under SARA and recognize that the objective of the Species at Risk Act is to ensure the survival and recovery of at-risk species’ populations, rather than establishing the permanent protection of lands considered to be at-risk species’ critical habitat.”

While no one from the Province was available for comment, an email states that:

“.. the Province has invested $27 million over three years to develop and implement an extensive Provincial Caribou Recovery Program Plan,” adding that “the caribou South Peace, six herds have declined from about 800 animals in the early 2000’s to about 220 animals today.”

“This agreement will be closely aligned with B.C.’s own Provincial Caribou Recovery Program and include commitments to herd plans, habitat protection, restorative projects, predator management, monitoring, science and research. As we move forward into caribou recovery, B.C. will be looking at all the impacts of all land uses – not just snowmobiling. However, at the same time, we need to recognize the impact that these kinds of activities can have on caribou populations.”

“I know the Province has been working with the federal government on this,” says Morris. “They’ve been very secretive. We have no idea what they’ve been conniving behind the scenes, what plan they’re coming up with. But I think we’ll hear fairly soon by the rumours that are out there.” 

The MP for the area says the threat of the loss of resource revenues likely won’t make a dent. 

“That doesn’t seem to bother them too much. Just look at oil and gas, for instance. They killed Kinder Morgan, they killed however many projects just because. And they had billions of dollars attached, so it doesn’t seem to matter to this government,” says Bob Zimmer, MP for Prince George – Peace River – Northern Rockies. “This policy is coming down. We have an election coming down in 2019. That’s why my concern is that he (Justin Trudeau) is going to make a broad decision, saying ‘Look, we’re to turn Northern BC into a wildlife preserve for caribou.’ And I’m deeply concerned about that.”

But the concerns are not limited to the Peace Country. The Mayor of Vanderhoof is deeply worried about the fate of New Gold’s Blackwater mine south of his community.

“Caribou haven’t been anywhere close to the mine site of the Blackwater project,” says Gerry Theissen, who adds, in the absence of any provincial legislation, federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna is legally obligated to make an emergency recommendation to Cabinet early in the new year.

Thiessen says “capital is very transferable.”

Mayors up and down the impacted areas have banded together to express a unified voice.

“So we’ve actually gotten together as mayors and regional district chairs from 100 Mile House north because it impacts various areas. It does spread as far south as into the Kootenays,” says Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall. “So we have the federal government that acts in one capacity, the province in another capacity and, like always, we just want to be at the table. We want to express our opinion and concerns. And we have ideas about what we can do to mitigate those concerns and we want to be able to share them. That’s what we’re asking for.”

Mayor Theissen says communities are equally concerned about the future of the caribou.

“The residents of Northern British Columbia, residents of rural British Columbia, the reason we live here is that we value the habitat of those species. We want to make sure that they thrive.” 

PART ONE

Airdate: Dec. 6, 2018 

PART TWO

Airdate: Dec. 7, 2018