Northern Ont. man fined $48K for damaging turtle habitat
A northern Ontario man who conducted road work without a permit has been fined $48,000 for damaging turtle habitat.
Timothy Hunt of McDougall – north of Parry Sound -- pleaded guilty to damaging the habitat of Blanding’s Turtle, a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
“He was ordered to pay $48,000 to the Georgian Bay Biosphere organization to assist in the protection and recovery of the species,” the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said in a news release Friday.
The court heard that between May 2016 and June 2017, Hunt did road work within the Shebeshekong Wetland Conservation Reserve without obtaining a permit.
“While doing the work he damaged a Blanding’s Turtle habitat,” the release said.
Justice of the Peace Madeleine Paul heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Parry Sound on Oct. 25.
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Activities impacting species at risk and protected habitat can be reported by calling 1-866-MOE-TIPS (663-8477) or through the online reporting tool.
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