A local construction company is facing some stiff penalties for running afoul of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Conservation Officer Ron Arnold explains in a recent ministry report that the Barry’s Bay-based company has been fined a total of $187,500 after they were caught operating a quarry pit without a license for almost two full years.
The company used heavy equipment to extract more than 10,000 tonnes of sand and gravel from the pit and load it onto trucks before delivering it to various clients, drawing the attention of inspectors.
Justice of the Peace Jennifer Grant first heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke earlier this year, agreeing with the ministry that the quarry was a breach of safeguards put in place to protect local natural resources.
Arnold encourages anyone interested in reporting a natural resource problem or providing information on unsolved cases to call their toll-free tips line at 1-877-847-7667 or by contacting Renfrew County Crime Stoppers.
(written by Kasey Egan)