Bull Trout Critical Habitat Order — Saskatchewan‑Nelson

Summary#

The Critical Habitat of the Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) Saskatchewan-Nelson Rivers Populations Order is a federal order under the Species at Risk Act that legally protects the mapped critical habitat for the Saskatchewan–Nelson Rivers populations of Bull Trout. The order came into force on March 11, 2021 and excludes portions of habitat that are already inside Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, and Waterton Lakes National Park.

What it does#

• Triggers the legal prohibition in the Species at Risk Act against destroying any part of the Bull Trout critical habitat identified in the recovery strategy.
• Applies to rivers and streams in parts of the Oldman, Bow, Red Deer and North Saskatchewan river basins in southwestern Alberta as set out in the recovery strategy (maps are in that document).
• Defines a riparian protection zone of 30 m from the high water mark on both banks as part of the critical habitat.
• Does not include critical habitat already covered inside Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, and Waterton Lakes National Park.
• Will automatically apply to any new critical habitat added to the recovery strategy after it is amended and posted on the public registry.
• The federal government says the order itself creates negligible incremental costs and that any practical changes mainly come from how the Fisheries Act already protects fish habitat.

Who's affected#

• People and groups working or planning projects in or near the listed river basins, including the forestry industry, construction and other developers, and large project proponents.
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada Agency, which will handle compliance, permits and outreach.
• Indigenous communities near the Bull Trout range. Notifications were sent to 46 Indigenous groups, and specific First Nations named for further engagement include O'Chiese First Nation, Sunchild First Nation, Blood Tribe, Piikani Nation, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, Tsuut'ina Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda Nations.
• Environmental groups and people who value cold-water river ecosystems and native fish species.

Why it matters#

• It protects the river water, banks and nearby riparian areas that Bull Trout need to survive and reproduce. Bull Trout are an indicator of healthy, cold-water ecosystems.
• For property owners and industries, work in the protected zone may need extra review or permits. The government notes any additional burden comes mainly from Fisheries Act protections tied to the newly identified 30 m riparian zone.
• Protecting this habitat helps maintain river health, benefits other species, and supports long-term conservation goals. Penalties can apply for destroying protected habitat under SARA, including fines up to $1,000,000 for corporations and other specified amounts (for example, $300,000, $250,000, $50,000) depending on the offence and offender type.