Beach pinweed (Lechea maritima) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 12

Existing Protection or Other Status Designations

Beach pinweed, in Canada, has S-ranks and General Status ranks of S1 and May be at risk in both New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. It has been assigned N1 and May be at risk ranks for Canada and is considered G5T1 at a global level, although revision to N2 and G5T2 could be warranted because of recent field data outlined in this report. The S1 provincial ranks mean it would receive some consideration in provincial and federal environmental impact assessment screening. The variety virginica is globally uncommon (G5T3) and is Threatened in North Carolina.

Although the plant is not protected federally or provincially, it does benefit from provincial laws and regulations governing development and limiting activity in coastal areas. These include the New Brunswick government’s Trespass Act and Coastal Areas Protection Policy as well as the Prince Edward Island government’s Environmental Protection Act and Planning Act.

Of the 15 distinct populations described in the present report, seven are situated on protected land; one in the Portage Island National Wildlife Area, two in Kouchibouguac National Park, two on the Bouctouche Dune, one in Cabot Beach Natural Area and one in Prince Edward Island National Park. The populations in Kouchibouguac National Park represent two of the largest known occurrences. The Hog Island occurrence is also on federal land held in trust for the Lennox Island First Nation. The level of impacts within these protected areas is low. In total, about 33% of the habitat containing the species is within protected areas.

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