SOUTH HURON – Eleven charges for using dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles on conservation authority lands were laid by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) in the past year.
“Responsible ATV riders use those vehicles only on lands where it is permitted and during times when the trails are dry but those people who don’t operate them according to the rules, or operate them on areas where these vehicles are prohibited, are subject to fines,” said Kate Monk, who is ABCA’s supervisor of stewardship and conservation lands.
The conservation authority also laid a charge against the driver of a motor vehicle who by-passed a locked gate and laid four charges against people walking dogs off-leash on local trails.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority personnel have the power to lay charges under the Trespass to Property Act and the Conservation Authorities Act. Patrol officers are on the properties owned or maintained by ABCA throughout the year and are laying charges.
“If everyone understands that rules are there for a reason and for the benefit of all users of conservation areas, they will want to do the right thing and we won’t need to lay as many charges,” she said.
Rules such as keeping a dog on a leash protect the pet, other wildlife, and trail users, Monk said. More information on permitted uses at conservation areas is available on ABCA’s website.
