Sea to Sky District Natural Resource Officers are asking for the public’s help in finding the person or persons responsible for a truckload of seine fishing nets that were dumped on the Cheekye Forest Service Road north of Squamish.

The Compliance and Enforcement Branch would like to speak to anyone who may know the person(s) responsible for the illegal dumping, or anyone who observed suspicious people or vehicles on the Cheekye FSR between Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014.

Anyone who discovers an illegal dump site or witnesses illegal dumping can submit a report by contacting the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1 877 952-7277, or online at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/rapp/rapp.html. Reports can be anonymous.

Residents and business owners are reminded that it is unlawful to dispose of garbage and other waste material on Crown land. Illegal dumping can cause environmental damage, introduce invasive plants, create public safety hazards and pose health risks to both people and wildlife.

Anyone dumping debris on Crown land is subject to prosecution under the Environmental Management Act, under which people can be ticketed $115 for littering or fined up to $2,000 and/or six months in jail. Depending on the type and amount of material involved, non-compliance could result in a violation ticket of $575, a penalty of up to $1,000,000, and/or imprisonment up to six months.

The Land Act also provides for fines of up to $20,000 or a jail term of up to 60 days for anyone found guilty of illegal dumping.

Learn More:

• Compliance and Enforcement Branch: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hen/ 
• Environmental Management  Act (Sections 6 and 12): http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/03053_00
• Land Act (Sections 67 and 68): http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96245_01

Media Contacts:

Bob Cunneyworth
Compliance and Enforcement Branch Supervisor, Sea to Sky District
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
604 898-2128