New bylaw can now fine people up to $3,000 for disrupting Piping Plovers

Earlier today, the town passed a by-law that will issue hefty fines for trespassing or disrupting its natural habitat.

A new bylaw can now fine people thousands of dollars for disrupting wildlife in Wasaga Beach, including the endangered Piping Plovers.

The fines, according to the Town, are among the strongest in the country and will help to protect the bird’s habitat, which are located in a protected area spot at Beach 1. It’s a location the Plovers keep coming back to year after year in the spring to nest.

• RELATED: Wasaga Beach collaborating with Birds Canada to protect endangered Piping Plovers

People could be fined $3,000 for harming or disturbing wildlife, $2,500 for damaging vegetation or natural features, $2,000 for disobeying authorized signage, and $900 for entering a prohibited or restricted beach area.

The new bylaw comes into place on the heels of environmental groups launching legal action against the Town.

The Town of Wasaga Beach has been at the centre of controversy since it admitted a grooming error. It meant construction crews groomed sand dunes, an area that was part of the nesting birds’ habitat.

• RELATED: Wasaga Beach responds to beach raking error, legal action on Piping Plover protection

The new bylaw is part of a bigger project called Destination Wasaga, a plan to redevelop the beach town putting community first.

“Destination Wasaga is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine one of Canada’s most iconic beach towns and waterfront destinations,” said Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith. “Protecting our dunes, critical habitat and natural shoreline is central to that work. This by-law strengthens local stewardship and helps position Wasaga Beach as a model for destination development — where tourism growth, community benefit and environmental protection thrive together.”

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The Town said it is continuing to work with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority on a long-term Municipal Piping Plover Stewardship Strategy.

Despite the ‘mishap’ when the small area near Spruce Street at Beach Area 1 was mechanically groomed, the Town said it has “maintained established Ontario Parks conservation protocols, including long-standing no-go and no-rake zones.”