Recovery Planning for Species at Risk
The New Brunswick Species at Risk Act provides for the recovery of species at risk in New Brunswick and aligns provincial programming with national standards. Among these provisions is the requirement that recovery documents be prepared for Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern species, except in those cases where it has been determined that recovery of the species is not feasible. These recovery strategies, action plans and management plans are posted on the provincial SARA Public Registry.
Recovery strategies: legislative requirements
The Minister of the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development is required to prepare recovery strategies for species listed as Extirpated, Endangered or Threatened. A recovery strategy constitutes advice to governments, landowners and others as to the requirements that, in the opinion of the minister, will assist in the recovery or survival of a wildlife species (22(1)). It is a science-based recovery document and is to be prepared, to the extent possible, in consultation with landowners and others who are likely to be affected by its implementation. The required elements are outlined in legislation:
- species description
- description of the biophysical and functional attributes of its habitat or, if this information is lacking, the steps required to address those knowledge gaps
- identification of the threats to its survival and recovery, as well as the broad strategies identified to eliminate or mitigate those threats
- statement of the population and distribution objectives that will assist in its survival and recovery, to the extent possible at the time
- description of the research and management activities required to meet the population and distribution objectives
In addition, a recovery strategy may identify areas, sites or structures that should be considered survival habitat or recovery habitat for the wildlife species.
Action plans
Action plans may be developed to address specific elements identified in a recovery strategy. They include the activities to be undertaken to complete the task, as well as the associated timelines. They may be prepared by the minster, or the minister may adopt a plan prepared by an agency or individuals.
Management plans for species of Special Concern
The minister is required to prepare management plans for species listed as of Special Concern. A management plan is a recovery document that describes the conservation measures that would prevent the species from declining into the more serious risk categories of Threatened or Endangered.
Efficiencies and timelines
The minister may adopt, in whole or in part, a recovery document (recovery strategy, management plan or action plan) that has been prepared by another person, agency or body. It has thus been the practice of the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development (DNRED) to obtain efficiencies by participating in recovery planning with federal partners and adopting these national recovery documents where they align in their general direction. A New Brunswick supplement is then prepared in order to provide additional provincial content where required.
In some cases, the national recovery document may not adequately provide guidance on a scale that matches provincial needs, necessitating the preparation of a provincial recovery strategy or management plan. In a small number of cases, a species may be listed in New Brunswick, but not be at risk nationally due to significant populations in other parts of Canada. A provincial recovery strategy or management plan would be required for these species.
Pan-Canadian Approach and the Recovery of Species at Risk
The ever-increasing list of species at risk has led to the articulation of a multi-species approach, supported by the federal and most provincial governments, including New Brunswick. The Pan-Canadian Approach to transforming species at risk conservation in Canada shifts the focus to conserving ecosystems and mitigating threats that encompass several species, thereby creating more benefit through the investment. Projects underway in New Brunswick have benefited from the Priority Place and the Priority Sector streams of funding.