REPEAT OFFENDER FINED $1,750 FOR ILLEGAL SHORELINE WORK
April 9, 2009
A Stoney Creek landowner has been fined $1,750 for failing to obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources to fill in shore lands along Lake Ontario.
Albert Curnew, 68, of Stoney Creek, pleaded guilty to the charge after hiring a contractor to construct a low wall in the water off the shore of Lake Ontario in front of his property. At that location the bed of Lake Ontario is Crown land.
On May 14, 2008, Ministry of Natural Resources staff from the ministry office in Vineland and the Watershed Officer from the Hamilton Conservation Authority inspected a Lakegate Drive property on the shore of Lake Ontario in Stoney Creek. A wall of large concrete blocks had been extended into the lake, and an excavator was placing pieces of stone on top of the wall.
The work was done without a work permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources. Curnew had obtained work permits from the ministry in the past and admitted that he knew that they were required under the Public Lands Act.
Curnew was previously convicted on February 1, 2000, of illegally filling shore lands at the same location and was fined $500.
Justice of the Peace Hugh Brown heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Hamilton on April 6, 2009.
To report a natural resources
violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact the
Niagara Area office at 905-562-4147 during regular business hours. You can also
call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS 8477.