By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Province moves forward on protection for Native Grasslands in Milk River Ridge

Aug 4, 2018 | 10:32 AM

ALBERTA – The provincial government released a proposal to expand the Twin River Heritage Rangeland Natural Area in order to protect a significant piece of Alberta’s endangered grasslands on Thursday, Aug. 2.

It’s a move of relief for the Alberta Wilderness Association, whose members say finally seeing concrete steps towards protection of a critical piece of Alberta’s native grasslands is important given it has been on government books awaiting protection for years. 

However, the AWA remains concerned about ongoing potential threats to this landscape from oil and gas exploration.

Cliff Wallis, a director with the AWA, says although native grasslands are only about five per cent of Alberta’s land base, they support almost one half of the rare ecological communities, 40 per cent of rare vascular plant species and 70 per cent of mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian species considered at risk or may be at risk.

“Alberta’s remaining large blocks of native grassland are essential for biodiversity conservation and safeguarding them from industry is needed if we are to achieve protected area targets in Alberta,” Wallis added.

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The government has launched a 30-day consultation until Aug. 31 on the proposal to reclassify and expand the Twin River Heritage Rangeland Natural Area by changing it to a Heritage Rangeland and adding 3173 hectares (7840 acres) to the existing protected area. 

This is in alignment with the 2014 South Saskatchewan Regional Plan’s commitment to expand conservation of native grasslands, which specifically identified this area as important to protect. 

Wallis says AWA supports the government’s move to protect this critical area, but they remain concerned about outstanding mineral leases as well as recently submitted well site and pipeline applications by Granite Oil Corp.

“We are urging the government to fully secure these lands by not extending the duration of these leases and to negotiate a fair settlement with Granite. Wells on this landscape would disturb the sweeping vistas and native habitats in this corner of Milk River Ridge that is not yet industrialized.”

In a release, AWA says with less than 2 per cent of Alberta’s grasslands currently protected, they’re fully supportive of prioritizing the legal designation of important grasslands, such as these Milk River Ridge lands. 

Internationally agreed to Aichi Biodiversity Targets for the protection of grasslands are set at a minimum of 17 per cent. 

Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips has affirmed Alberta’s commitment to reaching those targets, and AWA cites the decision to move forward on protection as a commitment to that goal.

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