$8,000 Fine for Illegal Harvest of Crown Timber
A Mattawa man has been fined $8,000 for the commission of two offences related to the illegal harvest of Crown timber in Papineau Township.
Doug Bangs pleaded guilty to harvesting trees without the authority of a licence, an offence under Ontario’s Crown Forest Sustainability Act. A guilty plea was also entered for the offence of cutting trees in a conservation reserve without written consent, contrary to regulations under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.
Court heard that through an investigation conducted by conservation officers, it was found that between May 1 and 31, 2011, Bangs harvested trees, including commercially valuable red and white pine, from provincial lands abutting his private property. These Crown lands included portions of a designated conservation reserve established in part for its old growth values.
Justice of the Peace Michel Moreau heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, North Bay, on November 20, 2013.
The Ministry reminds the public that prior to conducting forest harvest operations, property boundaries must be clearly understood and recognized. Harvesting of trees on Crown land requires permits, licenses or written authorizations depending upon the type of operation. Landowners shipping wood and timber mills receiving wood from private sources must obtain a ‘clearance of forest resources’ which certifies that the wood is exempt from the Crown requirements.
More information is available from the Ministry of Natural Resources website or by contacting your local Ministry office.
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).
