Terms of Reference
Last review/update: August 20, 2003
Alberta's Endangered Species Conservation Committee (ESCC) was created by the Minister of Environmental Protection in April of 1998. Established under the authority of Section 6.1 of the Wildlife Act, the ESCC is charged with advising the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development on matters relating to the identification, conservation and recovery of species at risk in Alberta.
Assessment of the biological status of species, and the identification of those that are at risk of extinction, rely on sound scientific evaluation of data and information available. The ESCC, therefore, includes members from the scientific community, and is supported by an independent Scientific Subcommittee.
While biological scientists can identify species at risk, and suggest appropriate recovery goals, the development and implementation of workable conservation and recovery programs requires the advice, knowledge and commitment of organizations and individuals who own, manage and use the land upon which species rely. The majority of the ESCC is therefore drawn from organizations representing land managers, resource users, conservation groups and government departments. This blend of sound science and a realistic understanding of land use management will provide a unique framework for incorporating socio-economic factors into the development and implementation of effective management and recovery programs.
Composition
The ESCC will be comprised of a balance of members from stakeholder groups representing resource-based land users, corporate and government land managers, conservation organizations and university scientists. Administrative and technical support will be provided by a Secretariat from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division.
Scientific and technical support will also be provided by an independent Scientific Subcommittee.
Roles
To advise the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development on matters relating to the identification and recovery of species at risk in Alberta; to recommend the necessary legal designation and protections for threatened and endangered species; to facilitate the planning and implementation of conservation and recovery programs; and to recommend actions that will prevent species from becoming at risk.
Decisions
Decisions will be made on the basis of consensus whenever possible, with recourse to a two-thirds majority vote of members if consensus is not possible. At least 50 percent of ESCC voting members will constitute a quorum.
Functions
- To develop, implement and revise appropriate operational procedures for the ESCC.
- To establish, appoint and provide general direction to an independent committee of scientific experts, the Scientific Subcommittee (SSC), who will use the best available information to assess the biological status of species suspected of being at risk in Alberta.
- To endorse species assessment criteria developed by the SSC for determining risk categories for species believed to be at risk.
- To receive the assessments of the SSC and recommend to the Minister the most appropriate response actions including, but not limited to, legal designations and protections, recovery programs and information needs.
- To facilitate the participation of stakeholders in the planning, review and implementation of recovery plans and programs.
- To review and report annually to Albertans on the progress of programs for the identification and recovery of species at risk in Alberta.
- To consider advice and recommendations received from Albertans regarding the conservation of species at risk.
- To establish ad hoc committees or working groups to provide advice on specific issues or to achieve specific tasks.
Secretariat
- To provide technical support to the ESCC (e.g., facilitating the compilation of current data, information and knowledge on candidate species, and the provision of information and data to members).
- To maintain a repository of information and provide information to the public.
- To provide administrative services, including planning meetings, financial and meeting records, contract administration, etc.
- To provide links to other provincial, national and international endangered species programs.
- To facilitate communication and information flow between the ESCC and the SSC.
