BCER to restrict energy permits in areas of northeast B.C. to protect caribou habitats

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The provincial energy regulator is restricting the approval of energy permits for 1.4 million hectares of habitat for boreal caribou protection. 

According to a July 11th press release, the provincial government, Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) and the B.C. Energy Regulator (BCER) are implementing the new protection measures for boreal caribou herd recovery in northeast B.C. 

“These measures prohibit the issuance of new or amended permits for energy-resource activities or authorizations in boreal caribou management type one areas – core areas – in the affected region, except for activities necessary to protect health and safety; restoration activities; or technical or administrative activities, with appropriate mitigations to protect boreal caribou habitat and support habitat restoration,” the press release stated. 

The protections align with federal strategies maintained by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to support the endangered species. 

Public engagement on the plan was conducted in 2022 and 2023, and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship sent a letter of notice to the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) in August 2024 regarding the project. 

After reviewing the notice, the PRRD extended an invitation to the ministry to present the plan in more detail to the board and address their concerns.

The presentation, conducted at a January PRRD meeting, went into depth regarding the plan and its impact on the region, including 10 and 15 years of intense monitoring and protection to support four of the five caribou herds in northeast B.C.  

In the July press release, the provincial government explained steps were being implemented as part of the Boreal Caribou Protection and Recovery Plan endorsed by the B.C. government in 2023, including enacting protection measures in specific areas of the northeast. 

“Helping caribou populations recover is a complex challenge requiring multiple approaches to stabilize and reverse the decline of herds in B.C.,” said Randene Neill, minister of water, land and resource stewardship. 

“Finalizing the Boreal Caribou Protection and Recovery Plan is a vital step in our shared responsibility to steward the land,” Fort Nelson First Nation Chief Archie Harrold said.

 “By working together with the provincial government, we are proving that true collaboration, rooted in respect for Indigenous knowledge and western science, leads to real action.”