TRAIL CUTTING IN PROVINCIAL PARK PROVES COSTLY
April 21, 2009
Two Blind River area residents have been fined a total of $1,500 for illegally building a trail in Mississagi River Provincial Park.
Wayne Barton, 61, of Spragge, and James MacDonald, 63, of Algoma Mills, pleaded guilty to unlawfully constructing a trail in a provincial park and were fined $1,500. They were also ordered by the court to rehabilitate the area.
Court heard that in July 2008, Barton and MacDonald had been lawfully using a closed road for accessing a remote outpost camp in Fabbro Township. A Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer discovered a newly constructed trail approximately 1000 metres long leading from the closed road to the camp. Both Barton and MacDonald constructed the trail to facilitate making improvements to the camp.
Justice of the Peace Diane Lafleur heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Elliot Lake, on April 15, 2009.
Mississagi River Provincial Park is a waterway class park that is approximately 91,268 hectares in size. The construction of any new trails in the park is prohibited.
To report a natural resource
violation call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your
ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers
anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).