Provincial sage grouse plan likely welcomed by city officials

Local officials say the provincial strategy to address sage grouse conservation in southeast, similar to a new plan to address dwindling woodland caribou population in the north, might be welcomed.

Both animals are subject to federal orders that restrict development and call for environmental protections to help bolster the species that are considered “at risk.”

In 2013, Ottawa set down Species At Risk regulations near Manyberries that placed stricter operational rules for oil companies and halted new development on public land.

The City of Medicine Hat, which has oil interests in the area, and private companies have sued to have the order reviewed and also seek compensation.

Last month, the province announced a new strategy to support similarly protected northern woodland caribou in 15 locations of northern Alberta.

It would see $85 million spent over five years to promote integrated land management, establishing protected wildlife areas apart from industrial or forestry, and supporting rearing program.

City councillor Phil Turnbull, the chair of city’s utility committee, told the News on Thursday the situations are very similar.

In his view the province should step up local efforts, either joining with the federal government to help compensate oil producers or working with local authorities and industry to make the fields more economically viable.

“The federal government came in without consultation with us or farmers in the area,” said Turnbull. “As a result, (private companies) are bankrupt.”

“The (provincial) government can do that for forestry. We’re a big energy province.”

The City of Medicine Hat and LGX Petroleum are currently plaintiffs is a federal court suit asking for $60 million in compensation.

Petroleum general manager Bradley Maynes said due to the litigation, the city’s official position is cautious against making comment, but, the impact on industry in both locations is probably similar.

“Certainly, it would be fair to say any efforts by the province to become engaged in the discussion would be viewed as a positive,” said Maynes.

A provincial sage grouse recovery plan was authored in 2013 by the previous government, proposed spending $3 million over five years, including $645,000 this year, on research, habitat protection and a breeding program at the Calgary Zoo.

The plan is due to be updated this year by the New Democrat government that launch the caribou action plan last year.

Provincial officials were not available for comment on Thursday.

The Alberta Provincial Woodland Caribou Range Plan has already seen $5 million spent, including money for 100,000 trees to be planted along old seismic lines.

The caribou plan is now in a second phase of public comment after it was developed through consultations with indigenous groups, industry and local governments in 2017.

City energy division officials say the fields are still operating, but rules that halt production during spring breeding periods, restrict drilling and even fence construction, are hurting.

Turnbull said the city hasn’t been able to boost production at the sites, and without increased investment, the fields will continue to fall off, whereas higher volume is needed.

“We are continuing operations in the Manyberries area,” said Maynes. “But there are fairly significant restrictions in terms of new activity and even ongoing maintenance of some sites,” he said.

“We’ve tried to work within those limits but it’s been problematic.”

Restrictions to not apply to privately held land or grazing leases, but in total 1,600 square kilometres in Alberta and Saskatchewan fall under the federal order.