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Global News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Ontario's new mining bill is a ‘vendetta' against species at risk: environmentalists
Ontario is moving to gut protections for endangered plants and animals as part of a mining bill, environmental groups say, with some calling it the most comprehensive attack on the province's at-risk species legislation in nearly two decades. The province disputes that characterization. Yet, policy advocates who reviewed the proposed legislation say the sweeping changes would erode already loosely enforced protections for more than 200 at-risk species, while giving the government greater power over scientists to decide what gets protected. 'This is really the most comprehensive undermining of the (Endangered Species Act) we've seen,' said Laura Bowman, a staff lawyer with environmental law charity Ecojustice. Last week, the province tabled an omnibus bill it says is aimed at speeding up new mining projects. As part of that bill, the government eyes immediate changes to the Endangered Species Act, which it ultimately plans to repeal and replace with a new law. Story continues below advertisement The process to obtain a permit under the current law is 'slow and complex,' the government's proposal said, and the changes would offer a 'reasonable, balanced approach to protecting species in Ontario.' Environmentalists say there's nothing balanced about the approach. View image in full screen A male Bobolink stands in grass near its nest, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Denton, Neb. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel). JB The government wants to dramatically narrow what 'habitat' means and do away with requirements to create a strategy for how to recover at-risk species. It also appears to give itself greater power over an independent science-based committee to add and remove species from a protected list. 'I don't think this is a major benefit to any industry. I think… it's just an irrational vendetta against species that some industrial players are blaming for their delays,' said Bowman. The definition of habitat would change from the entire area needed for a species to survive, to just its nest or den and the area immediately surrounding it. The changes would also strip the government of a responsibility to develop recovery strategies and management plans for at-risk species. Story continues below advertisement They would also allow companies to start developing a project that could destroy habitat or kill at-risk species without first getting a permit. Instead, the government is proposing to move to a not-yet-defined 'registration-first approach' for all projects, which it says is already in place for most. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Critics fear registrations will only require broad, standardized measures to mitigate impacts to at-risk species, rather than project-specific permits that require a company to show how they plan to help. 'It's very simplistic, it's not rooted in the latest science,' said Anna Baggio, conservation director of Wildlands League. 'They're not even trying to pretend anymore, nature and biodiversity is just something in the way of development.' A spokesperson for Environment, Conservation and Parks Minister Todd McCarthy said the proposed Species Conservation Act, which will replace the Endangered Species Act, will establish 'robust environmental protections by creating clear, enforceable rules for businesses to follow and strengthen the ability to enforce species conservation laws.' 'This includes creating a mandatory requirement to register their project and tough fines for non-compliance – there will be no tolerance for bad actors,' said Alex Catherwood. 0:54 Northumberland Land Trust secures large wetland in Brighton, Ont. The Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario, also known as COSSARO, would continue to provide science-based advice on the listing of species, Catherwood said. Story continues below advertisement Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said the new bill has caused him to rethink his plan to support the government's moves to help workers in the face of the US trade war. 'That goodwill gets undermined when you then use it to completely dismantle vital environmental protection and Indigenous consultation and consent,' Schreiner said. 'If you're an animal or plant in Ontario, this is a pretty bad day for you, but it's a bad day for people too because healthy ecosystems are vital to human survival and to undermine that I think is just reckless, dangerous, and short sighted.' Many First Nations have come out against the proposed changes designed to speed up mining in their traditional territories, though some are in support. The mining industry supports the changes. An industry association representing Ontario homebuilders also welcomed the changes and blamed permit delays in part on what it called a process that is 'expensive, slow, and unnecessarily complicated.' The new legislation would clear up the definition of endangered species and help 'increase protections while allowing approvals for vital projects to go forward in a timely manner,' said Andres Ibarguen, a spokesperson for the Ontario Home Builders Association. Between 2015 and 2021 it took on average 851 days to complete a development-related permit process, but as of August 2020 that number had come down to 256 days, the province's auditor general reported in 2021. Companies that complained to higher levels within the Environment Ministry were found to have received permits 43 per cent faster. Story continues below advertisement Permits were also delayed for some conservation work and fast-tracked for some developers, the audit found. Ministry staff suggested delays to a permit to help conserve the Massasauga rattlesnake likely contributed to the species becoming locally extinct, the report said. Premier Doug Ford's government has feverishly overhauled Ontario's nature protection and oversight rules in recent years in what it suggests is a bid to speed up the construction of homes, mines, highways and other infrastructure in Ontario. Ford teed off last year when asked about curbing environmental protections to get Highway 413 built, which included shrinking protected habitat for the red side dace, a fish in the project's path. 'Let's build the damn highway,' he said. 'There's millions of people stuck in their cars, backed up from here to Timbuktu, and you're worried about a grasshopper jumping across the highway. We need to start building and we're going to start building, simple as that.' Ontario's endangered species law, once considered a gold standard for its automatic protection for critical habitat and science-based assessments, has been repeatedly weakened by regulations, environmental groups say. Forestry companies have been exempted from the law since it was passed, a carveout made permanent during the pandemic despite the possible risks to endangered caribou. Since 2021, developers have been allowed to pay into a conservation fund instead of taking on-site measures to protect species. Story continues below advertisement That fund will now be wound down since the registration approach won't include the option to pay a fee, the government's proposal said. To date, none of the money had been spent on species protections. The government says the funds will still go toward activities 'in alignment' with species protection and conservation goals. It's also quadrupling a species conservation program to $20 million annually to support 'efforts to conserve and protect listed species,' said Catherwood, the minister's spokesperson. What protections do exist in law for at-risk species have been found to be laxly applied and enforced. The Environment Ministry has never turned down an application to harm a species or its habitat, the auditor general reported in 2021. Most approvals were granted automatically without review and no inspections were carried out to make sure companies followed their conditions once work started. The ministry also didn't consider the cumulative impact of permitting activities that could repeatedly harm the same species, the audit found. Blanding turtles, which have seen their numbers decline by 60 per cent over three generations largely due to habitat loss, had been impacted by more than 1,400 approvals from 2007 to 2021, the report found. Bobolink, a grassland songbird whose numbers have collapsed by 77 per cent since the 1970s, had been impacted by more than 2,000 approvals. Story continues below advertisement A 2023 follow-up report found the government had fully implemented four of the auditor's 52 recommendations. Seventeen had seen little or no progress and 22 would not be implemented.
Axios
17-04-2025
- General
- Axios
Illinois birds in crisis: Report shows major decline in local species
Birds that call Illinois grasslands and wetlands home are in serious decline, according to a new conservation report. Why it matters: Birds are indicators of the overall health of their habitats and signal early warnings of broader trouble. If these habitats can't support birdlife, they likely can't sustain other wildlife — or even humans — for long. By the numbers: In the past 50 years, Illinois species like the Henslow's Sparrow and Bobolink have seen population crashes of over 40%, per the North American Bird Conservation Initiative's 2025 State of the Birds report. The other side: The Northern Cardinal — a signature species in Illinois — has not experienced major declines in population. On the rise in the Chicago area is the Canadian Goose. Between the lines: A blow to birds is a blow to the economy. From birding tourism to pest control and pollination, birds generate nearly $280 billion annually for the U.S. economy, the report found. What they're saying: "It's a reality check for us, every time we do one of these," Mike Brasher, the co-chair of the report's science committee, told Audubon magazine. "Threats to birds (and) bird habitat are as great now as they have ever been, and they're accelerating, in most cases," Brasher said. Zoom in: Chicago is home to the Mississippi Flyway, one of the major North American migratory routes. Millions of birds pass through the city, making bird-building collisions a problem. But bird collisions at McCormick Place have dropped significantly since the city installed better lighting. The big picture: It's not just Illinois. Researchers tracked species nationwide and found declines almost everywhere, even among birds that were once thought resilient, including urban birds like the White-throated Sparrow. Roughly one-third of U.S. bird species — 229 in total — are now classified as high or moderate conservation concerns. Since 1970, nearly half of aridland birds and 43% of grassland birds across the U.S., including the Eastern Meadowlark in Illinois, have disappeared. Yes, but: There are signs of hope. Thanks to wetland protections, dabbling and diving duck populations have jumped 24% since 1970, while waterbirds are up 16%, per the report.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Ducks were once a conservation bright spot. Now they're declining in the US, new report shows
WASHINGTON (AP) — At least 112 North American bird species have lost more than half their populations in the past 50 years, according to a new report published Thursday. Among the birds showing the steepest declines are Allen's hummingbirds, Florida scrub jays, golden-cheeked warblers, tricolored blackbirds and yellow-billed magpies. 'These are the very real consequences if we are unable to conserve and protect the crucial habitats that birds need,' said study co-author Mike Brasher, a senior scientist at the nonprofit Ducks Unlimited. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. For several decades, waterfowl stood out as a conservation bright spot with duck populations growing nationwide even as many other groups of birds declined in the U.S. But that trend has reversed, the new data shows. The total number of dabbling and diving ducks is down about 30% from 2017, said Brasher. Loss of grasslands habitat and a prolonged drought affecting the wetlands of the Great Plains' prairie pothole region have taken a toll. Among all waterfowl, numbers are down 20% since 2014, the report found. The latest report is a collaboration between several groups including Cornell University, Ducks Unlimited, American Bird Conservancy, National Audubon Society and the American Ornithological Society. The work draws on survey data from the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and citizen projects such as Cornell's eBird. There are some 2,000 bird species in North America. A third of the species examined are rated as high or moderate concern for conservation due to declining numbers, habitat loss or other threats. These birds 'need urgent conservation attention,' said Amanda Rodewald, a study co-author from Cornell, adding that bird survey trends also reveal the health of their habitats. The report focuses on birds that must breed and feed in specific habitats such as forests, grasslands and coastal regions. Grassland birds including the Bobolink are most at risk. 'For each species that we're in danger of losing, it's like pulling an individual thread out of the complex tapestry of life,' said Georgetown University biologist Peter Marra, who was not involved in the new report. Marra pointed to key past conservation successes in the U.S. – such as the comebacks of bald eagles, egrets and osprey. 'We know that we can bend the curve back with targeted conservation plans. But we can't just close our eyes and hope," he said. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Ducks were once a conservation bright spot. Now they're declining in the US, new report shows
At least 112 North American bird species have lost more than half their populations in the past 50 years, according to a new report published Thursday. Among the birds showing the steepest declines are Allen's hummingbirds, Florida scrub jays, golden-cheeked warblers, tricolored blackbirds and yellow-billed magpies. 'These are the very real consequences if we are unable to conserve and protect the crucial habitats that birds need,' said study co-author Mike Brasher, a senior scientist at the nonprofit Ducks Unlimited. For several decades, waterfowl stood out as a conservation bright spot with duck populations growing nationwide even as many other groups of birds declined in the U.S. But that trend has reversed, the new data shows. The total number of dabbling and diving ducks is down about 30% from 2017, said Brasher. Loss of grasslands habitat and a prolonged drought affecting the wetlands of the Great Plains' prairie pothole region have taken a toll. Among all waterfowl, numbers are down 20% since 2014, the report found. The latest report is a collaboration between several groups including Cornell University, Ducks Unlimited, American Bird Conservancy, National Audubon Society and the American Ornithological Society. The work draws on survey data from the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and citizen projects such as Cornell's eBird. There are some 2,000 bird species in North America. A third of the species examined are rated as high or moderate concern for conservation due to declining numbers, habitat loss or other threats. These birds 'need urgent conservation attention,' said Amanda Rodewald, a study co-author from Cornell, adding that bird survey trends also reveal the health of their habitats. The report focuses on birds that must breed and feed in specific habitats such as forests, grasslands and coastal regions. Grassland birds including the Bobolink are most at risk. 'For each species that we're in danger of losing, it's like pulling an individual thread out of the complex tapestry of life,' said Georgetown University biologist Peter Marra, who was not involved in the new report. Marra pointed to key past conservation successes in the U.S. – such as the comebacks of bald eagles, egrets and osprey. 'We know that we can bend the curve back with targeted conservation plans. But we can't just close our eyes and hope," he said. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Associated Press
13-03-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
Ducks were once a conservation bright spot. Now they're declining in the US, new report shows
WASHINGTON (AP) — At least 112 North American bird species have lost more than half their populations in the past 50 years, according to a new report published Thursday. Among the birds showing the steepest declines are Allen's hummingbirds, Florida scrub jays, golden-cheeked warblers, tricolored blackbirds and yellow-billed magpies. 'These are the very real consequences if we are unable to conserve and protect the crucial habitats that birds need,' said study co-author Mike Brasher, a senior scientist at the nonprofit Ducks Unlimited. For several decades, waterfowl stood out as a conservation bright spot with duck populations growing nationwide even as many other groups of birds declined in the U.S. But that trend has reversed, the new data shows. The total number of dabbling and diving ducks is down about 30% from 2017, said Brasher. Loss of grasslands habitat and a prolonged drought affecting the wetlands of the Great Plains' prairie pothole region have taken a toll. Among all waterfowl, numbers are down 20% since 2014, the report found. The latest report is a collaboration between several groups including Cornell University, Ducks Unlimited, American Bird Conservancy, National Audubon Society and the American Ornithological Society. The work draws on survey data from the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and citizen projects such as Cornell's eBird. There are some 2,000 bird species in North America. A third of the species examined are rated as high or moderate concern for conservation due to declining numbers, habitat loss or other threats. These birds 'need urgent conservation attention,' said Amanda Rodewald, a study co-author from Cornell, adding that bird survey trends also reveal the health of their habitats. The report focuses on birds that must breed and feed in specific habitats such as forests, grasslands and coastal regions. Grassland birds including the Bobolink are most at risk. 'For each species that we're in danger of losing, it's like pulling an individual thread out of the complex tapestry of life,' said Georgetown University biologist Peter Marra, who was not involved in the new report. Marra pointed to key past conservation successes in the U.S. – such as the comebacks of bald eagles, egrets and osprey. 'We know that we can bend the curve back with targeted conservation plans. But we can't just close our eyes and hope,' he said. ___
