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Ottawa releases protection plan under sage grouse emergency order
EDMONTON – The federal government has revealed how it plans to protect an iconic prairie bird on the brink of vanishing from the grasslands.
An emergency protection order for the sage grouse will introduce new rules for activities on about 1,700 square kilometres of Crown land in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The rules severely restrict building of new roads and fences and also order noise limits on all activities in the affected areas.
Environment Canada says the rules will cost about $10 million in lost revenue from oil wells that can no longer be developed.
The population of sage grouse — famous for their mating display of dancing and drumming — is thought to be down to as few as 90 birds in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The order comes after environmental groups went to court to force Ottawa to issue it.
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