Policy Statement
Last review/update: August 20, 2003
Policy Statement for Alberta's Endangered Species Conservation Committee (October 2000)
Alberta's Endangered Species Conservation Committee (ESCC) is comprised of a balance of members from stakeholder groups representing resource-based land users, corporate and government land managers, conservation organizations and university scientists. Our mandate is to advise the Minister of Environment on matters relating to the identification, conservation and recovery of species at risk in Alberta. We feel these principles are important in a provincial and federal context.
We are operating from a core set of principles that include the following:
One |
The identification, conservation and recovery
of threatened and endangered species, as well as prevention of
extinction of species, are shared values of this committee and
Albertans in general.
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Two |
The biological status of species should be determined
by independent scientists using the best science available in
an open and transparent process.
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Three |
In accordance with the precautionary principle
as stated in the Accord for Protection of Species at Risk in
Canada, where the balance of scientific information indicates
a species is at risk, conservation and protective measures will
be taken.
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Four |
Government has the responsibility to coordinate
and facilitate the recovery of species. However, the success
of a recovery plan depends on the knowledge and commitment of
organizations and individuals who own, manage and use the land.
Recovery teams must include these landowners/land managers.
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Five |
Prevention and recovery programs for species
at risk will be pursued by encouraging voluntary and cooperative,
recovery and management efforts that cost-share on an equitable
basis.
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Six |
This committee encourages the elimination of any government policy disincentives to landowners to protect species at risk. |
