Critical Habitat: Vananda Creek Stickleback

Summary#

This is the Critical Habitat of the Vananda Creek Limnetic Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) Order: SOR/2020-28. It applies the protections of the Species at Risk Act to the habitat identified for that endangered fish in its recovery strategy. The order was registered (and came into force) on February 17, 2020 and was published in the Canada Gazette on March 4, 2020.

What it does#

• Says that subsection 58(1) of the Species at Risk Act applies to the critical habitat set out in the recovery strategy for the Vananda Creek Limnetic Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). In plain terms, the habitat identified in the recovery strategy is now treated as the species’ legally recognized critical habitat under that law.
• Makes this designation effective on the day the order was registered: February 17, 2020.
• Notes that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Bernadette Jordan, consulted a wildlife management board because the area overlaps land claims where that board has wildlife responsibilities.

Who's affected#

• People or groups who use, manage or work in the area identified as critical habitat for the stickleback. This could include local landowners, businesses, contractors, fishers, recreation users, and government bodies carrying out activities there. The Gazette text does not list specific individuals or companies.
• Indigenous organizations and a wildlife management board that have roles under a land claims agreement; the order says such a board was consulted.
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada and its staff, who are responsible for administering the measure and for the recovery strategy posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry.

Why it matters#

• It gives the critical habitat of this endangered fish a formal legal status under the Species at Risk Act, which can affect what activities are allowed in that area.
• That legal status is intended to support the recovery of the Vananda Creek Limnetic Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) by protecting the places it needs to survive and reproduce.
• If you live, work, or plan projects near the identified area, this designation could mean new limits, consultations, or requirements to avoid harming the habitat.