THUNDER BAY - A Thunder Bay company has been fined $15,000 after pleading guilty to excavating on Crown land without first obtaining a permit.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the Hockenhull Land and Cattle Company of Thunder Bay removed soil and aggregate and deposited a layer of stone on Crown land near Kashabowie Lake.
The excavation was part of landscaping for a tourist facility in the area and was done between October 2017 and November 2018.
The company did not obtain a proper permit for the work, which is required under the Aggregate Resources Act.
Additionally, written authorization under the Public Lands Act is required to deposit material on Crown land but no written authorization was obtained.
The case was heard in a Thunder Bay court before Justice of the Peace Raymond Zuliani on March 3, 2021.
The company pleaded guilty to charges under the Public Lands Act and was fined $5,000. It also pleaded guilty to charges under the Aggregate Resources Act and fined an additional $10,000.
The MNRF is reminding the public and companies to obtain all proper approvals and permits before conducting work on Crown land.