An opportunity to provide the federal Minister of the Environment and Climate Change with comments on proposed amendments to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk (“Schedule 1”) under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA): At present, the Government of Canada is considering the scientific assessments by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) of 24 terrestrial species that are eligible either to be added to Schedule 1 or to have their current status changed. Note that Yukon government, Yukon First Nations, Renewable Resources Councils, and the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board are also being consulted at this time.
One Yukon species is included in the proposed amendments to Schedule 1: Baikal Sedge, which is currently listed in SARA as Threatened, but which is being recommended for down-listing to the lower-risk status of Special Concern based on COSEWIC’s 2016 re-assessment. Baikal sedge is a perennial grass-like plant that grows in sand dune habitats that were once widespread but are no longer common. In Canada, it is known from 16 sites in southwest Yukon. Since its last assessment in 2005, 11 new subpopulations have been found and two serious threats have been negated, which accounts for its proposed improved status of Special Concern. Continued threats include habitat loss from natural succession, fire suppression and housing development, as well as off‑road vehicle use and exotic invasive plants.
You can view a copy of “Consultation on Amending the List of Species under the Species at Risk Act: Terrestrial Species – January 2017,” which explains the process at http://registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/document/default_e.cfm?documentID=2972. The last 2 pages of this document summarize the COSEWIC assessment for Baikal Sedge. The consultation document also includes a questionnaire (see page 5, or attached Word document) with guidance on the types of information and comments being sought.
COSEWIC status reports, assessments, and the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change’s statement on how she intends to respond to the assessments are available on the SARA Public Registry at http://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=8D3AE2E5-1.
You are invited to submit comments regarding these proposed amendments to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk. Your comments will be considered and will inform the Minister’s recommendation to Cabinet. Please provide comments by May 11, 2017. There will also be an opportunity to provide comments during the 30-day public consultation period associated with pre-publication in Canada Gazette Part I.
If you require additional time, please inform us prior to the requested deadline.
Please contact Saleem Dar directly at the contact below if you would like to provide any comments, or if you have questions about the SARA process or the species under review.
Please direct your comments to:
Saleem Dar
Canadian Wildlife Service
91780 Alaska Highway
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 5X7
Phone: 867-393-7976
Fax: 867-393-7970
Saleem.Dar@canada.ca
One Yukon species is included in the proposed amendments to Schedule 1: Baikal Sedge, which is currently listed in SARA as Threatened, but which is being recommended for down-listing to the lower-risk status of Special Concern based on COSEWIC’s 2016 re-assessment. Baikal sedge is a perennial grass-like plant that grows in sand dune habitats that were once widespread but are no longer common. In Canada, it is known from 16 sites in southwest Yukon. Since its last assessment in 2005, 11 new subpopulations have been found and two serious threats have been negated, which accounts for its proposed improved status of Special Concern. Continued threats include habitat loss from natural succession, fire suppression and housing development, as well as off‑road vehicle use and exotic invasive plants.
You can view a copy of “Consultation on Amending the List of Species under the Species at Risk Act: Terrestrial Species – January 2017,” which explains the process at http://registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/document/default_e.cfm?documentID=2972. The last 2 pages of this document summarize the COSEWIC assessment for Baikal Sedge. The consultation document also includes a questionnaire (see page 5, or attached Word document) with guidance on the types of information and comments being sought.
COSEWIC status reports, assessments, and the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change’s statement on how she intends to respond to the assessments are available on the SARA Public Registry at http://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=8D3AE2E5-1.
You are invited to submit comments regarding these proposed amendments to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk. Your comments will be considered and will inform the Minister’s recommendation to Cabinet. Please provide comments by May 11, 2017. There will also be an opportunity to provide comments during the 30-day public consultation period associated with pre-publication in Canada Gazette Part I.
If you require additional time, please inform us prior to the requested deadline.
Please contact Saleem Dar directly at the contact below if you would like to provide any comments, or if you have questions about the SARA process or the species under review.
Please direct your comments to:
Saleem Dar
Canadian Wildlife Service
91780 Alaska Highway
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 5X7
Phone: 867-393-7976
Fax: 867-393-7970
Saleem.Dar@canada.ca