Communiqué from the Emergency Sage‐grouse Summit

In 2011, just 13 male greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) were recorded on “leks” in Alberta, and 35 in Saskatchewan: the represents a greater than 95 percent decline since 1968. Although the greater sage‐grouse was designated an At Risk species in Alberta in 1996 (endangered in 2000), a Threatened species in Saskatchewan in 1987 (endangered in 1999) and a federally Endangered species in 1998, this decline has continued unchecked in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. Populations in neighbouring jurisdictions have undergone similar declines, leading to listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Federal and provincial governments are aware of the causes of greater sage‐grouse population declines, and what would need to be done to reverse the declines. Not enough has been done to eliminate human disturbance in critical habitat. A recent Alberta government report notes that, within a 3.2 km radius of lek sites the province has allowed the construction of 4.6 wells/km2, and 1.7 of these are active producing wells (Boyce, 2011). If the greater sage‐grouse is allowed to disappear, it will be what University of Alberta professor Dr. Mark Boyce describes as "the first case where the oil and gas industry has caused the extirpation of a species in Canada.”

Two things are clear: 1) current efforts are failing to prevent the extirpation of the greater sage‐grouse and protect its habitat, and 2) there is an urgent need for immediate action and substantive measures if the imminent extirpation of the greater sage‐grouse from Canada is to be prevented.

Read in full here.

Read letter to Premier Stelmach and Minister Knight here.