Plains Minnow critical habitat protection

Summary#

The Government of Canada has made the Critical Habitat of the Plains Minnow (Hybognathus placitus) Order under the Species at Risk Act. The Order puts the Act’s prohibition on destroying critical habitat into effect for the Plains Minnow’s habitat in Rock Creek, Saskatchewan, and it came into force on March 23, 2026 (the date the Order was registered).

What it does#

• Applies the prohibition in subsection 58(1) of the Species at Risk Act to the Plains Minnow’s critical habitat identified in the species’ recovery strategy.
• Covers 26.5 river kilometres of barrier-free river length in Rock Creek (from the United States border upstream). The Order protects only the parts of that mapped area where the species’ required physical features and functions actually occur.
• Confirms that existing rules under the Fisheries Act still apply and that authorizations or permits can be issued to allow activities that would otherwise destroy habitat, but only if strict conditions are met (including showing the activity will not jeopardize the species’ survival or recovery and measures to minimize impacts).
• Makes destroying any part of the identified critical habitat an offence, with possible penalties including summary fines up to $300,000 (corporations), fines up to $50,000 (non-profits and individuals in some cases) and, for indictable offences, fines up to $1,000,000 (corporations) or imprisonment for up to five years for individuals.

Who's affected#

• Local land users and businesses near Rock Creek, including the rancher(s) with grazing leases that overlap the identified area.
• Visitors and managers of lands adjacent to Grasslands National Park (the creek runs through the park boundary but is not under Parks Canada control).
• Project proponents planning works or activities in or near the creek (for example, construction, water withdrawals, pipeline or other infrastructure work).
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) staff and provincial agencies involved in authorizations and reviews.
• Indigenous organizations contacted about the Recovery Strategy: Cowessess First Nation, Sturgeon Lake First Nation, Wood Mountain First Nation, and the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan. (DFO reports no responses from these groups and says no reserve lands will be affected.)

Why it matters#

• The Plains Minnow has an extremely small Canadian range confined to Rock Creek. Protecting its critical habitat reduces the chance the species disappears from Canada.
• For people who own or manage land near Rock Creek, the Order may change what activities are allowed or require extra permits and conditions to proceed.
• The Order adds a clear, federal legal protection that complements existing Fisheries Act rules. That can affect future development decisions and help guide conservation actions for local biodiversity.
• Government analysis expects low incremental costs from the Order, but future projects that might affect the creek could face stricter review and conditions.