Dumping raw sewage, leaving trailers in the same spot leads to $7K in fines west of Timmins

An undated photo of a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer vehicle parked near water. (File photo/Supplied/Ministry of Natural Resources)

Two people – one from Timmins, the other from Kapuskasing -- have been fined more than $7,000 for camping violations, including empty septic tanks directly onto the ground.

The Ministry of Natural Resources received a complaint on July 17, 2023, on it TIPS line.

The complaint said “that three camper trailers had been parked at the Fortune Lake boat launch in Fortune Township, west of Timmins, for over 21 days,” the MNR said in a news release Friday.

Staff visited the site two days later and confirmed the trailers had been there for more than 21 days.

“They also determined multiple live trees had been cut down and that the septic waste from each trailer was being deposited directly into the ground,” the MNR said.

Paul Bellavance of Timmins, pleaded guilty to leaving a camper trailer in the same spot at Fortune Lake for over 21 days and was fined $1,897.

He was also fined $1,250 for unlawfully depositing a substance on public land and $1,000 for cutting down live trees without authorization.

Bobby Beaulieu-Rousseau of Kapuskasing, pleaded guilty to leaving a camper trailer in the same spot at Fortune Lake for over 21 days and was fined $1,897. He was also fined $1,250 for unlawfully depositing a substance on public land.

“Bellavance and Beaulieu-Rousseau were found to be the owners of the trailers and responsible for the tree clearing that had occurred,” the release said.

Justice of the Peace Christine Leclair heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Timmins, on July 11.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667.

To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, click here.