Under the new Species Conservation Act, farmers will need a permit from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for property that is habitat for any species at risk.
That would include pastures and hay fields where Bob-o-Link birds nest or some streams.
The ministry is proposing regulations which would set out rules that must be followed when engaging in a registered activity.
These rules may be activity or species specific, and may include requirements related to impacts to a species or species’ habitat, including:
- taking actions to avoid impacts
- taking actions to minimize adverse impacts
- taking actions to mitigate lasting impacts
- documenting actions in a conservation plan
- conducting monitoring and preparing monitoring reports
Farmers would need say who is undertaking an activity and what that activity is, when and where it will occur, what species may be impacted and the extent of the impact.
There are now 64 species listed which is six more than under the previous Species at Risk legislation.
