March 28, 2007
B.C. GOVERNMENT RELEASES COMPLIANCE SUMMARYVICTORIA – The Ministry of Environment has released the fourth Quarterly Compliance and Enforcement Summary for 2006.
The summary reports on compliance and enforcement actions taken across the entire ministry between Oct. 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2006. It outlines:
- 7 orders issued to prevent or stop impacts to the environment, human health or safety.
- 95 administrative licensing sanctions taken against individual or commercial hunters or anglers for committing certain offences.
- 887 tickets.
- 12 court convictions.
- $252,840 in fines.
The ministry pursues compliance with environmental laws and regulations through information, verification and enforcement. The goal is to encourage compliance to prevent damage before it occurs, and to apply the appropriate response if individuals or businesses do not comply with environmental standards.
Environment Minister Barry Penner encourages the public to report all poachers and polluters by calling 1-877-952-RAPP (7277), #RAPP (7277) on the TELUS Mobility network or by visiting the website at
http://www.rapp.bc.ca.
The ministry invested an additional $1.5 million on compliance and enforcement in 2006, which included the creation of the new Commercial Environmental Investigations Unit with a focus on commercial and industrial activities.
The Quarterly Compliance and Enforcement Summary is available at
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/main/prgs/compliancereport.html -end-
www.barrypenner.com