$27,000 in fines for illegal airstrip construction

News Release
MNR

A Thunder Bay business has been fined $27,000 for illegally constructing an airstrip on Crown land.
Marten Falls Logistics pleaded guilty to and was fined $25,000 for unlawfully harvesting forest resources without a licence and unlawfully depositing material on public lands. Alan Cheeseman, president of the corporation, was fined an additional $2,000 for unlawfully depositing material on public lands.

Court heard that in 2009, Marten Falls Logistics was involved in the approvals process to build an airstrip on Crown land near the Muketei River, approximately 350 kilometres north of Geraldton. Before any approvals were granted, the company began constructing the airstrip, consisting of a cleared runway approximately 850 metres long and 60 metres wide. During the construction, 5.5 hectares of Crown forest was harvested without a forest resource licence and piles of trees and soil were deposited on parts of the airstrip.
Justice of the Peace John Guthrie heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on February 1, 2012.

To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).