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Mt. Caribou strategy deadline for public coming up

The public has until March 18 to respond to Environment Canada’s proposed recovery strategy for the Woodland Caribou.
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Darcy Peel (right) from Environment Canada in Kamloops

The public has until March 18 to respond to Environment Canada’s proposed recovery strategy for the Woodland Caribou, Southern Mountain population.

On Friday Darcy Peel from Environment Canada in Kamloops, appeared before the Cariboo Regional District board to provide information on the proposed strategy.

“The goal identified in the recovery strategy is to achieve self-sustaining local populations in all boreal caribou ranges throughout Canada,” Peel said. “We are seeking advice on the population and distribution of caribou on your lands.”

Peel’s presentation focused on the Species at Risk Act, the 60-day public comment period about the proposed recovery strategy, and the Critical Habitat of the Caribou.

After the public feedback period ends, it will likely result in a much larger area being described as critical habitat and if the strategy becomes law, then it will be unlawful to destroy critical habitat.

When asked about specific threats to woodland caribou, Peel listed several factors including heli-skiing, mining, logging, snowmobiling and pipelines, but said natural elements, such as climate change and avalanches, are also having “devastating” impacts.

In some areas in Canada, herds are so devastated there is no hunting allowed, even by First Nations.

Further information about the recovery strategy for the Woodland Caribou is available online at sararegistry.gc.ca.

 



Monica Lamb-Yorski

About the Author: Monica Lamb-Yorski

A B.C. gal, I was born in Alert Bay, raised in Nelson, graduated from the University of Winnipeg, and wrote my first-ever article for the Prince Rupert Daily News.
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