North Bay company fined $200K for damaging turtle habitat

A construction company in North Bay has been fined $200,000 for causing damage to a Blandings Turtle habitat in 2018. The turtle is a threatened species in Ontario. (File)

A construction company in North Bay has been fined $200,000 for causing damage to a Blandings Turtle habitat in 2018.

The turtle is a threatened species in Ontario.

A news release from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said the $200,000 will go to the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The money is earmarked for conservation work and the future betterment of Blanding’s Turtles.

“The court heard that during the summer of 2018 the company used heavy equipment to remove vegetation from a property adjacent to Circle Lake in North Bay causing damage to turtle habitat,” the release said.

“Staff at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry had previously informed the company about the existence of Blanding’s Turtles around Circle Lake and the need to obtain a permit before proceeding with any alterations to the species’ habitat.”

Conservation officers used a ministry-owned drone to map the extent of the damage.

In sentencing the company, Justice of the Peace Paula Nichols considered the prior warnings from the ministry as well as other similar convictions under the Endangered Species Act to assess sentencing.

The case was heard over multiple days in the spring of 2022 and a decision was delivered on Oct. 12.

To report activities that impact species at risk and protected habitat, call 1-866-MOE-TIPS (663-8477) or through the online reporting tool.

Members of the public can report sightings of endangered species to the Natural Heritage Information Centre or at iNaturalist.ca.

To report other natural resource problems or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667.

To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, click here.