Canadian environmental groups are hoping new legislation will mean better protection for endangered species north of the border. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports… some species are protected on the U-S side of the Great Lakes, but not on the Canadian side:
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Canadian environmental groups are hoping new legislation will mean better protection for endangered species north of the border. Some species are protected on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes, but not the Canadian side. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports:
Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reached an agreement with environmental groups to settle a lawsuit to protect habitat for piping plovers, an endangered migratory bird. At first, U.S. environmentalists were thrilled, but then noted that birds also breed in Canada where they’re not protected. Mark Johnson is with the Canadian Nature Federation.
“In Canada we do not have federal endangered species legislation. And, our failure to have legislation in place is undermining the U.S.’s efforts to protect endangered species, and, in particular, their habitat.”
But that might change soon. Federal legislation has been introduced in Ottawa to protect endangered species in Canada. Canadian environmental groups are working with industry and politicians to find a compromise. They’re hoping to see effective legislation approved early this year.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, this is Lester Graham.