Last week, I tried to put some context around some of the South Peace caribou species at risk protection plan and its associated issues.
I limited my discussion to the Burnt Pine (now extirpated) and Moberly caribou herds near Chetwynd.
The current draft plan intends to create a new park and severely limit industrial development in large areas that are predominately used by the forest industry. These areas are also extensively used by outdoor recreationalist, including hunters, trappers, hikers, and snowmobilers.
In the 1960s, the WAC Bennett Dam was constructed and created the Williston Reservoir. This became the single biggest factor influencing local caribou populations.
Caribou were no longer able to migrate north for the winter and join up with what are now known as the Graham and Pink Mountain herds. They were now stuck on the south side of the Peace River. The reservoir restricts caribou’s movement and has changed them from wanderers to a stay-at-home population, which then makes them more vulnerable to tough winters and wolf predation.
The areas south of the Peace River are not great winter caribou habitat, when compared to the areas north of the river. This is mostly to do with considerably more snow and scarcity of wind-swept ridges.
Add increasing moose numbers and it became a very good place for wolves to live and thrive. Add human impacts through logging, mining, natural gas, wind turbines, snowmobiles, etc., and we have what we see today. And finally, on top of this, now throw in a rushed implementation of the species at risk legalisation.
An important consideration in this debate that should not be minimized is the recognition that South Peace caribou herds are not distinct species. Mountain caribou, as a species, are not in eminent danger of extinction. These caribou used to travel north and were part of the herds that currently exist north of the Peace. It is also noted these northern herd population numbers are currently down but are not considered threatened to the same degree.
The question is whether either the Moberly or Burnt Pine herds should be subject to the species at risk legislation at all. Should they be managed as a herd of concern outside of the legislation?
It has been said that there once were “thousands upon thousands” of caribou wandering across the Peace region. That may have been true, at a specific point in time. In the late 1800s, Treaty 8 was being considered for Northeast B.C. Written reports justifying it stated that the indigenous peoples of this region were “poorly nourished,” in danger of “starvation,” and that there was not a lot of food sources. A treaty would help address this. The result, part of Treaty 8 was written to give its recipients farming tools to reduce their reliance on fluctuating big game populations (a natural process) and ensure a more consistent source of food.
This would seem to indicate that for at last this time period, there were not “thousands upon thousands” of caribou in the area.
West Moberly representatives at the Fort St. John Open House on April 2 claimed that Treaty 8 promised them caribou. It doesn’t. Treaty 8 promises the ability to hunt, trap, and fish. I do agree there must be animals maintained on the landscape to allow for these treaty rights to occur.
Notmuch has been said about population numbers and what caribou should be managed to. Reading between the lines, I would assume that about 1,000 animals is the target for the entire South Peace, including those areas near Tumbler Ridge. If I had to hazard a guess, 1,000 caribou spread across this large area, living as small “distinct” herds, will never be managed as a source of food for indigenous peoples, or anyone else. Caribou will be managed as an “iconic” species, and other ungulates such as moose, elk, and deer will be the food source.
Given this, how do we sell the premise that moose numbers should be reduced when caribou are not likely to replace them as a food source?
Those crafting this draft plan seemed to all agree to the “let’s limit humans” aspect of this issue, and that is where this all falls part. We, as humans, are part of the environment, part of that problem, and part of the solution.
From what I have heard and read, these open houses did present a fair overview explaining the greatest industrial user in these areas is forestry, and that the other industries are relatively minor. There is very little natural gas infrastructure, a couple coal mines, and one wind farm. Most all seismic lines were handcut and are no longer even visible, let alone used as travel corridors.
Although no socio-economic plan has yet to be completed or presented, it is estimated that upwards of 500 jobs could be lost in the Chetwynd area, which could mean the possibility of one of their two sawmills closing.
Interestingly, and further adding to “job” loses, would be West Moberly’s claim that their new Community Forest Tenure would have “no logging.” If true, this would further restrict log supply to local mills. How can there be a forest tenue issued if its objective is no timber harvesting?
Chief Roland Willson of West Moberly has claimed that many jobs will be created by this plan. He may be correct, but they are all funded by government, which is always subject to budgeting, unless there is a secret plan to now make industry pay for this. Deconstructing roads and removing bridges do not create longer term sustainable jobs. Hiring “watchmen” to look after areas that have no activities are not likely to be funded in perpetuity.
It has also been reported that despite being part of the “agreement” to help consult this plan, Saulteau First Nations has not sent representatives to these consultation meetings. If they aren’t out trying to sell this to us as a great plan, I can’t help but wonder if they truly support this at all.
This draft caribou protection plan has become an us-against-them issue for locals to the region, and it shouldn’t. A comprehensive plan does need to be created, one that should not be considered as the economy versus the environment, loggers versus environmentalistd, wolves versus caribou, First Nation communities versus non-First Nation communities, or any other form of us versus them. And, if we think about it, we do have the time.
If those involved agreed that we take this plan and rework it into something that reflects more of our local values, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not going to invoke some special order to shut down B.C.’s Northeast. He has too many other issues on his plate and he does not need to create another one.
Taking another six months, or even a year, will neither impact the caribou or result in huge irreversible impacts to the landscape. Simply put, taking a bit more time to get this thing right may actually create a plan supported by the vast majority, rather than a plan that conveys rights and jobs to a very select few.
- Evan Saugstad, Alaska Highway News
