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VICTORIA – The
Ministry of Environment has released the fourth Quarterly Compliance and
Enforcement Summary for 2007.
The summary reports on
compliance and enforcement actions taken across the entire ministry between
Oct. 1, 2007 and Dec. 31, 2007.
It outlines:
·
3 orders issued to prevent or stop impacts to the
environment, human health or safety.
·
61 administrative licensing sanctions taken against
individual or commercial hunters or anglers for committing certain offences.
·
624
tickets.
·
18 court
convictions.
These compliance actions
resulted in a combined total of more than $271,000 in fines and penalties.
The ministry pursues compliance
with environmental laws and regulations through information, verification and
enforcement. The goal is to encourage compliance to prevent damage before it
occurs, and to apply the appropriate response if individuals or businesses do
not comply with environmental standards.
The ministry is investing $1 million
this year in the Conservation Officer Service Commercial
Environmental Investigations Unit (CEIU). Launched last year, the CEIU focuses
on environmental compliance primarily related to commercial and industrial
activities. The CEIU has eight senior investigators and a manager located in
five key areas of the province – Prince George, Kamloops, Nelson, Surrey and
Nanaimo.
In
addition, five new year-round Conservation Officers are being hired to
enhance the capacity of the Conservation Officer Service to participate in
collaborative compliance projects with external partners, and engage in
additional compliance activities throughout the province. These officers will
be placed in Fort St. John, Golden, Vernon, Nanaimo and Surrey.
Environment Minister Barry
Penner encourages the public to report all poachers and polluters by calling
1-877-952-RAPP (7277), #RAPP (7277) on the TELUS Mobility Network or by
visiting the website at: www.rapp.bc.ca
The Quarterly Compliance and
Enforcement Summary is available at: www.env.gov.bc.ca/main/prgs/compliancereport.html
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Media Relations 250 953-4577 |
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