BELLE RIVER — The Department of Environment is still questioning people regarding alleged buffer zone infractions in Belle River farm last week as more continue.
“It’s an active investigation and there’s little we can report,’’ said Wade MacKinnon, manager of investigations. “We will be discussing the file with the Crown office before anything is confirmed.”
The incident has been constant throughout the year with mature hedgerows along the Stewart Point Road being mowed, cut down and cleared away for agricultural purposes.
The lack of hedgerows and ditches filled in with soil were obvious after Monday’s downpour of snow, freezing rain and rain and photographs were sent to this newspaper.
“A number of people are being asked for information,’’ said one local resident who has been contacted by the department.
Permits were not issued for the cutting of 30-foot trees along an entire kilometre of the roadway leading to the Northumberland Strait.
The cuttings have now spread to a stretch along the Trans-Canada highway as well.
Local MLA Charlie McGeoghegan has been contacted by outraged residents who allege three infractions, including the violation and destruction of a wetland
area.
The land is question is in the Big Point road area on the south shore of eastern P.E.I.
No, just give the farmer a hefty fine for putting greed over the environment, and make them remediate the mess they made. If they can't afford it, they can sell the farm to pay the fine and the repair of the environmental damage. Hopefully, other farmers will learn from this action, and start taking care of the environment as they are supposed to.