Provincial Species at Risk Coordination Office Overview and purpose November 10, 2004

Slide 2 The species listed by Conservation Data Centre in BC Forest Practices Board reports on Marbled Murrelet and Mountain Caribou Species at Risk Act Recovery teams in BC Limited funding and resources to support species at risk (SAR) Lack of provincial SAR recovery policies

Slide 3 Species at Risk Coordination Office Two objectives: 1.Develop a proposed structure for an approach to provincial species at risk program 2.Develop recommendations for recovery to deliver to government for decision making within a 9-12 month timeframe for the three key species: –Mountain Caribou –Spotted Owl –Marbled Murrelet

Slide 4 Species at Risk Coordination Office Reports to the Deputy Minister’s Subcommittee for the Management of Species at Risk (WLAP, MOF, MSRM & LWBC) Centralizes species at risk recovery and management costs in a single account Coordinates the development of recovery options for government 9-12 month pilot project Kevin Jardine currently acting as Coordinator

Slide 5 Activities to Date Mountain Caribou –Funding allocated towards developing Habitat Supply Models to establish herd-based recovery targets –Working with government and tenure holders to obtain deferrals until modeling complete and recovery options developed Spotted Owl –Funding allocated towards a Spotted Owl Habitat / Population Model –Working with government and licensees to undertake actions to mitigate and protect currently occupied spotted owl habitat Marbled Murrelet –Investigate opportunities to slow and reverse the current population trend by developing habitat protection options Policy Development –Development of an approach to evaluating and prioritizing species at risk programs

Slide 6 Benefits of Provincial SAR Coordination SAR issues can be quickly raised to DM and Cabinet levels Complex inter-ministerial issues can be quickly resolved Greater profile for SAR activities within and outside of government Funding can be specifically allocated to SAR projects (i.e. no ‘diversion’ to other projects) Opportunities for leveraged funding (e.g. ENGOs, industry) Single window contact for liaison with Federal Species at Risk Act