New rules for mining will impact caribou habitat

The provincial government has changed the requirements for mining companies operating in threatened caribou habitat, no longer routinely requiring an exemption from the Ministry of Environment before exploration activities, such as building roads and cutting timber.

The provincial government has changed the requirements for mining companies operating in threatened caribou habitat, no longer routinely requiring an exemption from the Ministry of Environment before exploration activities, such as building roads and cutting timber.

Environmental groups see the change as a sellout to the mining lobby, while industry officials insist the new regulations will increase the level of protection for caribou.

Ben Chalmers, vice-president of environment for the Mining Association of B.C., said in exchange for not having to seek exemption, mining companies must meet certain environmental conditions, including a ban on exploration during the peak calving period May 15 to June 15 — also an important time for exploration.

Other conditions include the use of existing clearings, trails and roads where practical; avoiding mature stands of forest and lichen-bearing trees; limiting forest openings to one hectare; restricting the width of new roads to six metres; and not flying within 500 metres of caribou.

Companies unable to meet the criteria must still seek an exemption from the Ministry of Environment.

John Bergenske, executive director of Wildsight, said the change means a professional caribou biologist will not review a mining company’s exploration plans before approval — and that can only hurt the species.

Environmentalists note fewer than 2,000 mountain caribou still exit in B.C. The animal is listed as threatened federally, and is “red-listed” in B.C. — a term that applies to both threatened and endangered species.

Caribou are at risk from logging of old-growth habitat as well as a full range of human activities, including mining and recreational activities. Wolves and cougars are their chief predators.

“With mountain caribou, it’s death by a thousand cuts,” Bergenske said.

Susan Howatt, campaigns director for Sierra Club of B.C., said the regulations present a “double standard” because forest companies are allowed no such exemptions. She also pointed to the need for an overhaul of the province’s mining laws. “They’re antiquated, almost 125 years old, and allow for free entry [to Crown land],” she said.

Blair Lekstrom, minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, was unavailable for comment.

However, ministry spokesman Jake Jacobs said “mineral exploration activities are not considered a major factor in disturbance to mountain caribou.”

“The permit conditions are intended to cover those activities that are considered by government to be an acceptable risk to caribou and that should be allowed to proceed without requiring an exemption from the Ministry of Environment.

“Road and trail building for the purposes of mineral exploration will be required in some circumstances to ensure access to, and the viability of, new and existing mineral tenures.”

The new regulations apply to about 500,000 hectares of mineral claims.