The Government of Canada has launched consultations regarding the potential to amend Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). These consultations seek the public’s input into the federal Minister of the Environment’s response to assessments of species at risk submitted by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).
In British Columbia there are 7 terrestrial species for which COSEWIC’s assessments could lead to amendments to SARA Schedule 1 (the List of Wildlife Species at Risk):
•Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) – a bird found broadly across Canada – Potential new addition to Schedule 1, listed as Special Concern
•Monarch (Danaus plexippus) – a butterfly found primarily in central and eastern Canada, with occasional occurrences in southern British Columbia -Potential change in status from Special Concern to Endangered
•Pink-footed Shearwater (Puffinus creatopus) – a bird found off British Columbia’s coast – Potential change in status from Threatened to Endangered
•Rusty Cord-moss (Entosthodon rubiginosus) – a moss found in British Columbia’s central and southern interior – Potential change in status from Endangered to Special Concern
•Sonora Skipper (Polites sonora) – a butterfly found in south-central British Columbia – Potential removal from Schedule 1 (currently listed as Special Concern)
•Transverse Lady Beetle (Coccinella transversoguttata) – an insect found broadly across Canada – Potential new addition to Schedule 1, Special Concern
•Western Painted Turtle, Pacific Coast pop. (Chrysemys picta bellii) – a turtle found on Vancouver Island, some Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast, Metro Vancouver, and the lower Fraser Valley – Potential change in status from Endangered to Threatened
An additional 5 terrestrial species at risk found in British Columbia had their current status under SARA confirmed by COSEWIC. These are not included in this consultation process, as no regulatory amendment is required. Please note that Fisheries and Oceans Canada is also conducting related consultations for aquatic species. The full list of Ministerial Response Statements outlining how the Minister of Environment intends to respond to COSEWIC’s assessments is available at Link
You are invited to submit comments on the potential impacts of amending SARA Schedule 1 according to COSEWIC’s assessments. Comments can be submitted via email to email. The comment period ends on May 22, 2018 for most species found in BC, and on October 22, 2018 for Monarch.
Further information regarding the listing and consultation processes for terrestrial species can be found in “Consultation on Amending the List of Species under the Species at Risk Act -Terrestrial Species: January 2018″ posted here ). This document also includes a questionnaire that provides guidance on the types of information and comments Environment and Climate Change Canada is seeking.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this information. You are welcome to contact our regional office in British Columbia with any questions at link |