Establishment of check stations to support enforcement activity

Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, announced today the department�s conservation officers will be setting up check stations this fall throughout Newfoundland and Labrador in support of its ongoing enforcement operations.

Minister Byrne said the check stations are a useful tool to identify potential violations while providing a good opportunity to inform and educate the general public about important conservation and safety issues.

"These check stations are very practical as they provide our conservation officers with an opportunity to interact one-on-one with hunters, domestic wood cutters and other users of our outdoor resources," said Minister Byrne. " In addition, they allow our officers to perform inspections to ensure people are not in violation of forestry and wildlife regulations."

The check stations will be set up in strategic locations along provincial highways and access roads. All vehicles transporting timber will be checked for compliance with the Forestry Act including the Load Slip system. In addition, hunters will be checked to ensure compliance with wildlife regulations.

Minister Byrne also said that, with the big game hunting season now underway, conservation officers will be actively seeking out those taking part in any illegal hunting activity.

"Unfortunately, there still remains certain individuals who have complete disregard for the conservation of our natural resources," the minister stated. "Accordingly, conservation officers will be adopting the same approach used this past summer during the successful Inland Fisheries Enforcement Program as they carry out their day-to-day duties. There will be no tolerance for those who choose to violate wildlife and forestry regulations. Such individuals will be targeted by conservation officers during the fall hunting season."

Statistics compiled for the period April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004 reveal that there were a total of 1,504 violations of forestry and wildlife regulations. Through a combination of heightened enforcement and public awareness, the Department of Natural Resources is hopeful it will see a decrease in illegal activity.

For additional information, contact Jim Maloney, Chief of Special Investigations, (709) 637-2053.

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282, (709) 685-4624

2004 09 17                         10:05 a.m.