Meadow Lake forest company fined for illegal harvesting

MEADOW LAKE, Sask. – A northern Saskatchewan forest company has been fined after it pleaded guilty to illegal harvesting by Cowan Lake.

Forestry and conservation officers had been notified during a public meeting in Big River that forest harvesting by Meadow Lake Mechanical Pulp could be seen from the lake.

An investigation found the company had violated a condition of its approved operating plan to leaving a visual screen between the lake and harvested area.

The investigation also found the logging contractor had harvested to the edge of Pankoski Lake, causing damage to the riparian area.

“The public has an expectation that companies harvesting in publicly owned forests will follow approved plans and abide by all licence conditions,” said Bob Wynes, executive director of the forest service branch at the Ministry of Environment.

“The public also trusts that the ministry will hold companies accountable and we take this trust very seriously.”

Meadow Lake Mechanical Pulp pleaded guilty in Prince Albert provincial court to two counts of failing to comply with the terms of its approved operating plan under The Forest Resources Management Act and was fined $18,200.