It is the intent of the Parties to ensure that potential impacts on species at risk are addressed through a single environmental assessment process in a manner that is timely, structured and informed by the best available science.
If Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Parks Canada Agency determine, as defined in Section 79 of the Species at Risk Act, that a project subject to an assessment of its environmental effects under an Act of Parliament may result in potential adverse effects on a listed wildlife species or its critical habitat, the requirements of Section 79 (2) will be addressed as follows:
If the species to which subsection 79 (1) of SARA applies is provincially managed,, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada will provide any knowledge or information on the potential impacts of the project on that species to the Province. BC will identify to Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada the measures that the Province will take to avoid or lessen any adverse effects if the project proceeds.
If the species to which subsection 79 (1) of SARA applies is federally managed, British Columbia will provide any knowledge or information on the potential impacts of the project on that species to Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada. BC will also identify to Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada any measures that the Province will take to avoid or lessen any adverse effects if the project proceeds.
The monitoring requirement in 79 (2) will be ensured by the person required to ensure that an assessment of environmental effects of a project is conducted, with consideration of any monitoring required by the Province.
When requested by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency or the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office, the Coordinating Committee will co-ordinate interactions between Canada and British Columbia on project review issues related to avoiding or lessening the adverse effects on a listed wildlife species or its critical habitat.
11.0 Recovery Planning
The Parties will endeavour to develop recovery strategies and action plans that meet timelines and other requirements set in federal and provincial legislation. In doing so, the Parties will continue to apply a two stage approach to recovery planning. The first stage, the preparation of a recovery strategy, will include the determination of whether recovery of the listed wildlife species is technically and biologically feasible. If recovery is deemed to be feasible, the recovery strategy will include the recovery goal, objectives and strategies for achieving the objectives. The second stage, the preparation of action plan(s), will identify and prioritize detailed measures to achieve recovery and will include an evaluation of the socio-economic costs of the action plan and the benefits to be derived from its implementation.
If Canada is leading a recovery planning process, Canada will invite British Columbia to participate. If British Columbia is leading a recovery planning process, British Columbia will invite Canada to participate.
The Parties will develop training for practitioners within government jurisdictions and stakeholder organizations to facilitate the preparation of recovery strategies and action plans.
The Parties will ensure the evaluation of socio-economic costs and benefits are an integral part of the development of action plans. While the focus in action plans will remain on protection and recovery of the subject species at risk, their residences and habitat, the Parties will work with stakeholders and other jurisdictions and orders of government to identify ways to minimize socio-economic impacts while identifying economic opportunities and benefits.
Where a recovery strategy, action plan or a recovery team addressing an aquatic species, migratory bird or their habitat on land other than federal land identifies a need for action to prevent the reduction or loss of that species,British Columbia will be provided with an opportunity to take such action, subject to federal approval of the proposed plan of action.
12.0 Stewardship
The Parties agree to coordinate species at risk recovery and stewardship activities with priorities developed for species at risk prevention, protection and recovery by:
providing advice on setting priorities for stewardship activities for species at risk in British Columbia.
exchanging information on stewardship programs, funding and agreements.
setting priorities for research and data collection necessary to design, implement and evaluate stewardship activities.
The Parties agree that, to the extent possible, stewardship activities will be encouraged in order to provide for the protection of species at risk, residences and critical habitat.
The Parties recognize that existing programs such as the “Identified Wildlife Management Strategy” under the Forest and Range Practices Act and Canada’s “Habitat Stewardship Program” provide important tools to achieve species at risk protection and recovery objectives and will work to maximize the benefits to be achieved through their implementation.
The Parties agree that the Coordinating Committee will serve as the Regional Implementation Board for the Province of British Columbia under the federal Habitat Stewardship Program. British Columbia will bring proposals for provincially funded stewardship activities to the Coordinating Committee to seek opportunities for coordination and collaboration with Canada.
