SASKATOON CONTRACTOR FINED $42,000 FOR ILLEGALLY HARVESTING FOREST PRODUCTS

Winn Bay Sand Ltd. of Saskatoon was found guilty of one count under The Forest Resources Management Act for illegally harvesting forest products without a licence and was fined $42,000 in provincial court in Creighton. In addition to the fine, Winn Bay Sand Ltd. was ordered to make a donation of $5,000 toward an environmental program or fund.

The charge was laid as the result of a call to the Ministry of Environment field office in Creighton in February of 2011. Information was received that Winn Bay Sand Ltd. had cleared a new area for a road to access their processing site at Hanson Lake, approximately 70 kilometres west of Creighton. Conservation officers investigated and found that an area had been cleared of trees and vegetation approximately 2.5 kilometres long and 20 metres wide. No permits had been issued for the clearing and the company was subsequently charged.

"Saskatchewan's forests play an important role in the province's environment and economy," Ministry of Environment Compliance and Enforcement Director Ken Aube said. "Unfortunately, there are some who break the laws designed to protect our forests. This court case sends the message that Saskatchewan's forestry resources are valued and will be protected."

Anyone who is aware of or suspects forestry, wildlife, fisheries or environmental violations is encouraged to report them to the nearest Ministry of Environment office or to call the province's toll-free Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 for SaskTel cell phone subscribers. Callers may be eligible for cash rewards through the SASKTIP reward program.

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For more information, contact:

Jeanette Krayetski
Environment
Prince Albert
Phone: 306-953-2691
Email: jeanette.krayetski@gov.sk.ca