Consultation Workbook on the Addition of the Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes - Upper St. Lawrence Populations) to the SARA List

Northern Brook Lamprey

December 2007

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Please send your comments on this consultation to one of the following Fisheries & Oceans Canada (DFO) offices:

Central and Arctic Region
SARA Coordinator
Freshwater Institute
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
501 University Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3T 2N6
Email: fwisar@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Fax: 204-983-5192


Quebec Region
SARA Coordinator
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
P.O. Bolx 1000, 850 route de la Mer
Mont-Joli, Quebec
G5H 3Z4
Email:especesperilqc@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Fax: 418-775-0542
Toll-Free: 1-877-775-0848

To request additional copies of the workbook, please call 1-866-538-1609.

For more information on the Species at Risk Act, please visit the Public Registry at

http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca

For more information on species at risk, please visit the Fisheries & Oceans Canada aquatic Species at Risk website:

or

Environment Canada’s Species at Risk website:

www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca

Information on species at risk is also available on the website of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC):

www.cosewic.gc.ca

Credit:

Northern Brook Lamprey – Fisheries and Oceans Canada

PART 1: Adding a species or population to the SARA List

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

The Species at Risk Act

Identifying a species at risk

Listing a species at risk

What does it mean when a species or population is added to the SARA List?

Recovery strategies and action plans for Extirpated, Endangered and Threatened species

Management plans for Species of Special Concern-

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Why are we having these consultations?

Invitation to submit comments

SARA PUBLIC REGISTRY

PART 2: Information about THE SPECIES

Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes-Upper St. Lawrence populations)

PART 3: Let us know what you think

Species of interest: Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations)

The Species at Risk Act (SARA) was proclaimed on June 5, 2003, by the Government of Canada. SARA provides a framework for actions across Canada to promote the survival of wildlife species and the protection of our natural heritage. It sets out how to decide which species are a priority for action and what to do to protect a species. It identifies ways governments, organizations and individuals can work together, and it establishes penalties for failures to obey the law.

Two federal Ministers are responsible for the administration of SARA. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is the competent Minister for aquatic species. The Minister of the Environment is the competent Minister for all other species at risk, including those found in national parks, national historic sites and other protected heritage areas. The Minister of the Environment is also responsible for the overall administration of the Act.

The Act protects the plants and animals included on a list within SARA (Schedule 1). Schedule 1 is also referred to as the List of Wildlife Species at Risk and will be referred to as the SARA List in the rest of this workbook. Candidate species are proposed for addition to the SARA List as a result of the work of the scientists and conservationists who are members of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). They conduct scientific assessments of the status of species. Community and Aboriginal traditional knowledge are also included in species assessments when available. The Government then decides which species are added to the SARA List as such action could have economic or social implications.

233 species were included on the SARA List of the Act when Parliament passed SARA in December 2002. COSEWIC had already assessed these species as “at risk” using new updated assessment criteria and current information. When the Act came into force in June 2003, these species were on the initial SARA List.

Since then, COSEWIC has identified more species that are at risk. The Minister of Environment is now considering recommending those species for addition to the SARA List. As part of that process, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is currently carrying out public consultations on the Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations). It was assessed as Special Concern. The purpose of this consultation workbook is to invite Canadians to let us know whether the Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations) should be added to the SARA List.

The Species at Risk Act strengthens the Government of Canada’s ability to protect Canadian plants and animals in danger of becoming extinct. This protection applies only to species which are included on the SARA List. Adding a species to the SARA List requires a two-step process. The first step is identifying a species at risk and the second step is the listing of that species.

COSEWIC is an independent group whose mandate is to assess the status of plants and animals in Canada and identify those at risk. The committee is made up of biologists, ecologists, geneticists and individuals with Aboriginal traditional knowledge who are experts on wildlife species at risk. Members come from many areas, including government, universities, Aboriginal organizations and non-government agencies.

COSEWIC assesses the biological status of a species using the best available information on the biological status of the species. It reviews research, considers community and Aboriginal traditional knowledge, and applies strict assessment criteria. COSEWIC meets once a year to assess the biological status of species. Species that COSEWIC considers to be “at risk” are designated to one of the following categories:

Extinct –A wildlife species thatno longer exists.

Extirpated – A wildlife species that is no longer found in the wild in Canada but may be found elsewhere.

Endangered – A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.

Threatened – A wildlife species likely to become Endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors threatening it.

Special Concern – A wildlife species that may become a Threatened or Endangered species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.

The process of listing a species begins when COSEWIC submits its assessment to the Minister of the Environment. Upon receiving the assessment the Minister has 90 days to issue a Response Statement on how he or she intends to respond to the assessment and, to the extent possible, provide time lines for action. The Minister then forwards the species assessment to Governor in Council (GiC) . Nine months after receiving the COSEWIC assessment the GiC, on the recommendations of the Minister of the Environment, can decide to…

  1. Accept the COSEWIC assessment and add the species to the SARA List;
  2. Not add the species to the SARA List; or,
  3. Refer the matter back to COSEWIC for further information or consideration.

GIC has nine months after receiving the COSEWIC assessment to decide whether the species should be added to the SARA List. If a decision has not been made within that time period, the Minister of the Environment will add the species to the SARA List.

The amount of protection the SARA provides depends on the assessed category. It is an offence to kill, harm, harass, possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an individual of an Extirpated, Endangered and Threatened species. It is also illegal under the Act to damage or destroy the residences of Endangered and Threatened species, or for Extirpated species if a recovery strategy has recommended the introduction of the species into the wild in Canada.

SARA protects all listed birds covered under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, all listed aquatic species and all listed species on federal lands. The provinces and territories are responsible for making sure that all listed Extirpated, Endangered and Threatened species that are located outside federal lands receive adequate protection. However, if that protection is not given, the federal government can intervene, using “safety-net” provisions of SARA, but only after consulting with the province or territory concerned and carrying out public consultations.

The ministers of the Environment and of Fisheries and Oceans can, under special circumstances, make exceptions to SARA. For example, they can issue a permit that would allow a qualified scientist to carry out a research project that benefits a listed species or is required to enhance its chances of survival in the wild. Exceptions can only be made if all reasonable alternatives have been considered and if the Minister can be assured that the survival or recovery of the species will not be jeopardized.

If a wildlife species is added to the SARA List as an Extirpated, Endangered or Threatened species, the competent Minister must prepare a strategy for its recovery. Recovery Strategies must be completed and made available on the SARA Public Registry, for public review, within one year for newly listed Endangered species and within two years for Threatened and Extirpated species. The Recovery Strategy addresses known threats to the species, identifies critical habitat to the extent possible and gaps in knowledge. It also sets a recovery goal. The Recovery Strategy is followed up with one or more Action Plans that identify ways to reduce threats to the species and protect its critical habitat, as well as other measures to be taken to implement the Recovery Strategy.

The Recovery Strategy and Actions Plans are prepared in cooperation and consultation with Wildlife Management Boards, Aboriginal communities that are directly affected by the Recovery Strategy, and jurisdictions such as provincial or territorial governments who are responsible for the management of the species. Landowners and others who are directly affected will also be consulted. Upon completion, the recovery strategy is posted on the SARA Public Registry and the public has 60 days to inform the Minister of their views.

If a wildlife species is listed as a species of Special Concern, the responsible Minister must prepare a Management Plan. It must be posted on the SARA Public Registry within three years of the species being added to the SARA List. The Management Plan identifies conservation measures aimed at protecting the species and its habitat. A

Management Plan is prepared in cooperation with groups directly affected by the plans, including Wildlife Management Boards and Aboriginal organizations. To the extent possible, landowners, land users and others who may be directly affected by the plans will also be consulted. Upon completion, the Management Plan is posted on the SARA Public Registry and the public has 60 days to inform the Minister of their views.

Before the Minister of the Environment makes a recommendation to GIC about whether to add a species to the SARA List, he or she will consider the balance between the social and economic benefits and costs associated with adding the species to the SARA List and the potential consequences for the species and Canadians of not adding it. The Government will meet with wildlife management boards, Aboriginal groups or organizations and other members of the public who have either a direct interest in the species under consideration or wish to comment on the issue. This includes – but is not limited to – landowners, land users, non-government environmental organizations, industries and industry groups. This consultation workbook is another way in which you can let us know what you think.

Comments received from Canadians will be carefully reviewed, evaluated and documented in a Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (RIAS). The RIAS is an important part of the federal government’s regulatory process. In addition, a draft Order (an instrument that serves notice of a decision taken by the executive arm of government) proposing to add the species to the SARA List is prepared. This draft Order along with the RIAS will be published in the Canada Gazette Part I for a period of time to allow Canadians another opportunity to comment. The Minister of the Environment will take into consideration all received comments before recommending to the GIC whether to add the species to the SARA List or not. The GIC’s decision will be published in the Canada Gazette Part II and made available on the SARA Public Registry.

Consultations concerning adding species to the SARA List are part of the Government’s commitment to encourage public participation in programs designed to protect Canadian plants and animals and their habitat. The Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations) has been recently assessed and designated by COSEWIC and is being considered for addition to the SARA List. We welcome your comments about whether the Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations) should be added to the SARA List.

A questionnaire has been provided near the end of this workbook. Please fill it out and mail or fax your answers to one of the following DFO offices:

Central and Arctic Region

SARA Coordinator
Freshwater Institute
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
501 University Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3T 2N6
Email: fwisar@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Fax: 204-983-5192
Toll-free: 1-866-538-1609

Quebec Region

SARA Coordinator
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
P.O. Bolx 1000, 850 route de la Mer
Mont-Joli, Quebec
G5H 3Z4
Email:especesperilqc@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Fax: 418-775-0542
Toll-Free: 1-877-775-0848

The deadline for submission of comments is April 25, 2008.

The SARA Public Registry, available on the Internet, is a complete source of information on topics covered by the Act and offers access to public records concerning the administration of SARA. It is a key instrument that allows the government to respect its commitment to support public contribution in the environmental decision-making process. The Public Registry can be found at the following address:

http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca

Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes-Upper St. Lawrence populations)

Status: Special Concern

Last examined by COSEWIC: April 2007

The Northern Brook Lamprey has the characteristic features of lampreys – eel-liked appearance with a round mouth and teeth arranged in a circle. It is non-parasitic. The adult can be distinguished from other adult lampreys by its single dorsal fin and teeth patterns. It reaches about 160 mm in length as an adult. Larvae lacking eyes and teeth are known as ammocoetes.

Adults are found in clear water streams of various sizes. In May they migrate to rivers with rocky or gravel riverbed with fast-flowing water to spawn. Adults do not feed and die soon after spawning. Larvae hatch, drift downstream and begin to burrow, forming U-shaped holes in the silt and sandy riverbed. Their diet includes minute aquatic organisms, organic debris and green algae. They remain in the larval stage for 3-7 years depending on the location and availability of food. After a “resting period” when they do not feed the larvae begin the process of transforming into juvenile lamprey. This begins in August or September and takes two to three months. By January or February the juveniles emerge from their burrows as fully formed adults. They become sexually mature by May and begin gathering in fast-flowing rivers to spawn. Adults die after spawning.

In the Great Lakes and Upper St. Lawrence River and their tributaries in Ontario and south-western Quebec.

No population estimates have been made for the Northern Brook Lamprey. They are no longer found in a number of streams around the Great Lakes that historically supported populations. However large numbers of larvae thought to be Northern Brook Lamprey are incidentally caught through larval sea lamprey surveys.

Applications of chemicals to control Sea Lamprey in habitats shared by Northern Brook Lamprey have caused reductions in populations around the Great Lakes. Manipulation of water levels may cause larval mortality; low water levels expose larval burrows and flooding cause excessive movement. Pollution such as the herbicide atrazine has been identified as a threat in Quebec.

This non-parasitic lamprey is distributed in streams throughout the Great Lakes basin (except Lake Ontario) and in south-western Quebec. In the Great Lakes basin, which comprises most of its range, about 50% of the streams it is known to inhabit are subjected to ongoing chemical treatment for sea lamprey control which causes mortality to its larval stage. However, in untreated streams, the species is still abundant.

A management plan must be prepared within five years of the Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations) being added to the SARA List.

By answering the following questions you will help the federal government understand the benefits and impacts of adding the Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations) - to the SARA List.

Please fill out the questionnaire that follows and send us your answers by mail or fax to one of the following DFO offices:

SARA Coordinator
Freshwater Institute
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
501 University Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3T 2N6
Email: fwisar@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Fax: 204-983-5192
Toll-free: 1-866-538-1609

SARA Coordinator
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
P.O. Bolx 1000, 850 route de la Mer
Mont-Joli, Quebec
G5H 3Z4
Email:especesperilqc@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Fax: 418-775-0542
Toll-Free: 1-877-775-0848

The deadline for receiving comments is April 25, 2008.

For questions or comments concerning the Species at Risk Act or concerning this consultation process, please write to us at the address given above or call us at (204) 984-0599.

THANK YOU

Species of interest: Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations)

Your name (optional):

Your Organization/Community/First Nation affiliation (Optional):

1a) Are you in favour of the Government of Canada adding the Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations) to the SARA List?

○ Yes ○ No ○ Undecided

b) If ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, please let us know why

c) If ‘Undecided’, please tell us why

2. Why is listing or not listing Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations) important to you?

Please choose an option that best reflects your level of agreement or disagreement with the following statements.

Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
I have no opinion
Has social and/or cultural significance (e.g. traditional purposes) to my community
Is an important part of the Aboriginal or Canadian heritage
Is or was an important subsistence food source
Has economic value (e.g. recreational or commercial fishery)
Provides job opportunities (e.g. tourism) to the local economy
Plays an important role in maintaining a healthy freshwater ecosystem
Will be valuable to future generations
Many people in Canada value it even though they may never personally see one
Other (please specify):

5. If adding Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations) to the SARA List will have a negative effect on you or your activities, please let us know how you could change your activities to reduce the impact?

6. Please add any other comments or concerns (include additional sheets, if necessary) you would like to be considered.

The following questions are optional:

7. Did this consultation workbook help you:

a) Understand how the listing process under the SARA works?

○ Yes ○ No ○ Undecided

b) Understand the important issues concerning Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations)?

○ Yes ○ No ○ Undecided

c) Provide an effective way to communicate your views on the potential listing Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations) to DFO?

○ Yes ○ No ○ Undecided

d) What changes or additions can we make to this workbook to make it more easily understood and user friendly?

8. We would like to get an idea of how well you understand the Species At Risk Act (SARA). Please tell us how familiar you are with SARA:

_____ Not at all

_____ Very little

_____ Average

_____ Quite well

_____ Expert

9. Which sector(s) do you represent? Check all that apply.

___ General public

___ Aboriginal organization

___ Aboriginal community

___ Academic community

___ Agriculture

___ Commercial Fishing/Processing/Sales

___ Environmental organization

___ First Nation

___ Farming

___ Forestry

___ Government (please state level) __________________

___ Hydroelectric power generation

___ Industry or manufacturing

___ Oil and gas

___ Private sector – other (please indicate) __________________

___ Professional services

___ Stewardship group

PLEASE SUBMIT COMMENTS BY April 25, 2008

Governor in Council is the Governor General of Canada acting on the advice of the Queen’s Privy Council of Canada (i.e. Cabinet).

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