https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canada-first-nations-express-concern-over-u-s-arctic-drilling-plans
Canada, First Nations express concern over caribou wildlife safety in
U.S. Arctic drilling plans
The Porcupine herd is one of the few remaining healthy caribou
populations in the North and a crucial resource for Indigenous people
The Canadian Press
Bob Weber
January 13, 2019
7:57 PM EST
The Canadian government, two territories and several First Nations are
expressing concerns to the United States over plans to open the calving
grounds of a large cross-border caribou herd to energy drilling, despite
international agreements to protect it.
“Canada is concerned about the potential transboundary impacts of oil
and gas exploration and development planned for the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain,” says a letter from Environment Canada to
the Alaska office of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
Yukon and the Northwest Territories have submitted similar concerns as
the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump drafts plans to study
the environmental impact of selling exploration leases on the
ecologically rich plain.
“Much of the wildlife that inhabits the … refuge is shared with Canada,”
says the N.W.T.’s letter to the U.S.. “The conservation of these
transboundary shared resources is very important to Indigenous groups.”
The Porcupine herd is one of the few remaining healthy caribou
populations in the North and a crucial resource for Indigenous people.
Canada says the caribou are covered by one of four different
international agreements — including two over polar bears and one for
migratory birds — that commit the U.S. to preserve the area. At least
three diplomatic notes have passed between the two countries over the issue.
Canada wants assurances from the U.S. about the content of the
environmental study. The N.W.T. is asking that hearings be held in
Canadian Indigenous communities that depend on the herd.
It’ll be tough, said Bobbi Jo Greenland Morgan, head of the Gwich’In
Tribal Council.
“We’re not dealing with the same government we’ve been dealing with for
the past 30 years,” she said.
In December, the U.S. released a draft environmental impact study
proposal for the lease sale with a public comment period until Feb. 11.
The stakes are high for the narrow strip of land along the central
Alaskan coast. The Porcupine herd numbers 218,000 and is growing.
Greenland Morgan said the animals are a regular source of food for her
people.
“We probably have (caribou) at least once or twice a week.”
Adult caribou can co-exist with development, but scientists have shown
they avoid any disturbance on their calving grounds.
“Canada is particularly concerned that oil and gas exploration and
development will negatively affect the long-term reproductive success of
the Porcupine caribou herd,” says the federal letter.
The U.S. is aware of that possibility.
“Potential impacts, particularly those relating to changes in calving
distribution and calf survival, are expected to be more intense for the
(Porcupine herd) because of their lack of previous exposure to oil field
development,” says the draft plan.
It also points out the herd’s importance to Canadian First Nations and
acknowledges they take about 85 per cent of the annual harvest.
“These Canadian communities would be among the most likely to experience
potential indirect impacts.”
Craig Machtans of the Canadian Wildlife Service represents Canada on an
international committee that manages the Porcupine herd. He said he has
a good relationship with his counterpart in Alaska.
“He does keep me informed,” Machtans said.
But the ties aren’t what they were.
The U.S. representative used to come from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. The current member is from the Department of the Interior.
“He has a different mandate,” said Machtans. “I’m not sure it’s the same
relationship.”
Officials at Global Affairs Canada say the U.S. is living up to the
agreement on the Porcupine herd. American officials were not available
for comment due to a partial government shutdown in that country.
Machtans said Canada has no special status as the U.S. considers public
input on the draft.
“We’re not in the inner circle,” he said. “We’re participating as
members of the public.”
International law professor Michael Byers said the U.S. may have already
broken a clause in the agreement that commits both parties to consulting
the other before a final decision is made on anything that affects the
herd’s future.
“There’s an obligation to consult that isn’t being implemented right
now,” Byers said.
He noted that the U.S. has already said it intends to sell the leases
this year.
Greenland Morgan said her people have been fighting for decades to keep
the Porcupine calving grounds free of development — but this time feels
different.
“We’ve always had to do this,” she said. “But with the Trump
administration, it’s been more challenging.”