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.

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

To report a natural resource problem 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.