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    • Men fined for illegally camping on Crown land
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    Men fined for illegally camping on Crown land

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    Bobby Beaulieu-Rousseau, of Kapuskasing, pleaded guilty to leaving a trailer at the same location on Fortune Lake for more than 21 days and was fined $1,897. He was also fined $1,250 for illegally depositing a substance (septic waste) on public land.

    Court heard that on July 17, 2023, the ministry’s TIPS line received a complaint that three trailers were parked at the Fortune Lake boat launch in Fortune Township, west of Timmins , for more than 21 days.

    On July 25, 2023, conservation officers attended the scene and confirmed that the caravans had been there for more than 21 days.

    “In accordance with the annual 21-day camping rule, from January 1 to December 31, a person, if residing in Ontario, may camp on Crown land for a total of 21 days in one location. Otherwise, they would have to move more than 100 meters to another location after 21 days,” said Bill McCord, conservation officer with the Ministry of Natural Resources.

    “It’s about giving equal opportunities to all residents of the province to be able to enjoy this place,” he added.

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    Bill McCord
    Bill McCord, conservation officer and staff sergeant with the Ministry of Natural Resources, says campers on Crown land, including any Ontario residents, must move after 21 days to more than 100 meters. The rule exists “to give equal opportunity to all residents of the province to be able to enjoy this place,” he said. SUPPLY/MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

    Officers also determined several living trees had been felled. Bellavance and Beaulieu-Rousseau were recognized as owners of the trailers and responsible for the deforestation that occurred.

    “To be able to cut down live trees, you would have to get a permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources, and you would have to pay a certain cutting fee for those, which they haven’t done,” McCord said.

    Officers also determined that septic waste from each trailer was being deposited directly into the ground.

    “Under the Public Lands Act, you cannot deposit anything on Crown land, without permission or a permit,” McCord said. “And they had dumped sewage waste.”

    McCord recommends campers instead use small blue bins connected to their campers.

    The Ministry of Natural Resources said in a statement it protects public lands by ensuring campers on Crown land do not overstay their welcome and that they properly manage their resources during their stay.

    To report a natural resource issue or provide information about an unresolved case, members of the public can call the department’s TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667. The public can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information on unresolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrftips.

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