October 1, 1999
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Conservation officers crack down on illegal ATV use

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, today announced that conservation officers from Clarenville to Grand Bank have launched a major campaign against the illegal use of ATVs by hunters. A recent rash of complaints from the public and conservation groups led to increased surveillance and field operations.

Seventeen charges were laid and nine written warnings given as the result of operations carried out the weekend of September 24-27. Twelve of the charges were against hunters operating ATVs outside approved areas. The remaining five charges were for possession of loaded firearms on a vehicle, and the warnings were for individuals not carrying a hunting licence on their person.

On Saturday, September 25, conservation officers conducted aerial patrols around Clarenville and the Burin Peninsula. Charges were laid under the All Terrain Vehicle Regulations against six individuals in three separate incidents on September 27. The conservation officers joined Crown lands staff and members of the RCMP in undercover operations.

Senior conservation officer Eric Sullivan said: "Undercover operations like these go a long way towards addressing pre-season hunting and illegal ATV operations in targeted areas. Combined operations have proven a highly successful tactic in the ongoing battle against illegal hunting, and we intend to continue these operations in identified problem areas."

Dexter Gillard, NCO in Charge at the RCMP's St. John's Federal Enforcement Section said that the RCMP presence was to assess possible violations of federal acts, and to provide assistance and back-up. The lands office provided a helicopter to help locate offenders and assist in pursuit, in case they crossed into dangerous or inaccessible areas.

Officer Gillard said: "We gladly join the provincial agencies and pool our resources in this sort of action. We'll take whatever measures are necessary to get the job done."

Penalties for infractions of the Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Act can be severe. Fines can range from $100 for minor offences to $500 to $1,000 for more serious offences, like operating vehicles recklessly or while intoxicated, and harassing, chasing, injuring or killing wildlife. Prison terms of from two days to as much as six months, or a combination of fine and imprisonment may also be ordered by the court. Vehicle registrations can be canceled or suspended at the court's discretion, and vehicles can be seized for the duration of court proceedings and may be forfeited to the Crown.

"This is the first of many planned campaigns we will carry out during the hunting season," stated Minister Aylward. "These patrols will be conducted frequently and may lead to seizure of the ATVs involved. ATVs may now be used for retrieving game, but the rules must be followed and damage to the province's wetlands minimized."

About 15 per cent of all northern territories are classified as wetlands. The wetlands are an integral part of our northern environment and ecology. They are a rich habitat for plants, wildlife and waterfowl. As a vital component of the province's ecosystem, they produce greenhouse gases, store carbon in peatlands, soak up pollutants, filter water feeding into water supplies, and reduce severity of flooding by retaining water. The wetlands also act as an early warning system in the environment as they respond quickly to climate changes.

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, (709) 729-6183.

1999 10 01 2:25 p.m.