SARA listing changes for Red Knot, four species

Summary#

This is a proposed Order Amending Schedule 1 to the Species at Risk Act that responds to new science from COSEWIC. It would change the legal listing (remove, rename, up‑ or down‑list) for 9 species, including several distinct populations of the Red Knot. The proposal was published on December 21, 2024 and invited public comment for 30 days.

What it does#

• Updates Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) to reflect recent assessments by COSEWIC.
• Specific changes proposed (by common name and scientific name):
  • Aweme Borer (Papaipema aweme) — proposed to be struck from Schedule 1 (removed).
  • Cobblestone Tiger Beetle (Cicindela marginipennis) — proposed to be reclassified from endangered to special concern.
  • Lakeside Daisy (Tetraneuris herbacea) — proposed to be reclassified from threatened to special concern.
  • Seaside Centipede Lichen (Heterodermia sitchensis) — proposed to be reclassified from endangered to threatened.
  • Red Knot population changes:
    • Red Knot islandica subspecies (Calidris canutus islandica) — proposed to be delisted (not at risk).
    • The former Red Knot roselaari type is split into separate units:
      • Red Knot roselaari subspecies (Calidris canutus roselaari) — remains threatened.
      • Red Knot rufa subspecies — Northeastern South America wintering population (Calidris canutus rufa) — proposed to be reclassified to special concern.
      • Red Knot rufa subspecies — Southeastern USA / Gulf of Mexico / Caribbean wintering population (Calidris canutus rufa) — proposed to be reclassified to endangered.
      • Red Knot rufa subspecies — Tierra del Fuego / Patagonia wintering population (Calidris canutus rufa) — keeps endangered status but is renamed to reflect the wintering area.
• If adopted, the changes would affect which SARA general prohibitions and recovery or management planning requirements apply on federal lands and for migratory birds’ nests and eggs.

Who's affected#

• Indigenous communities and organizations in the species’ ranges. The department contacted many Indigenous groups during consultation.
• Federal land managers, including Parks Canada, and other federal agencies responsible for enforcement and recovery planning.
• Provincial and territorial governments (some species already have provincial designations).
• Researchers, consultants and others who apply for SARA permits for listed species (permit needs can change if a species is delisted or downlisted).
• Local landowners, industries, stewardship groups and environmental NGOs that work in areas where these species occur.
• The public interested in birdwatching and nature tourism may notice changes for the Red Knot populations.
• The Canada-wide analysis found no incremental costs to small businesses from these specific amendments.

Why it matters#

• Legal protections change. Species listed as endangered or threatened trigger SARA’s general prohibitions on federal land (for example, against killing or destroying residences), while species listed as special concern do not. Delisting or striking a species removes those federal SARA protections entirely.
• Recovery work and planning change. Endangered/threatened listings require recovery strategies and action plans. Species moved to special concern need management plans instead. Two species proposed for removal or delisting would no longer require federal recovery documents.
• The Red Knot split creates more targeted designations. Breaking one population into three may allow more specific recovery actions tied to different wintering areas. It also means protection levels differ by population, so conservation or permitted activities may change depending on which population is involved.
• There are modest public costs and savings. Environment Canada estimated government costs to update plans over the next 10 years at about $310,000, avoided costs of $75,000, and a net incremental cost of $235,000 (all figures undiscounted). Permit-related administrative costs over the period were estimated at about $18,500 for applicants and $35,000 for the federal government.
• Consultation and next steps. The department ran consultations (for example, from January 10, 2022 to May 10, 2022, with some consultations extended to October 10, 2022) and received 26 respondents and 60 comments. This document was a proposal; if adopted, the Order would come into force on the day it is registered.