A tip from the Turn in Poachers and Polluters line has led to fines totalling $51,000 for a town, a contractor and a landowner. A news release from the Environment Ministry reports that on February 14th, Swift Current conservation officers were alerted through the TIPP line that Knutson Excavating was demolishing houses in Cabri, hauling the material to Lindsey Kelsey’s land northeast of town and burning it at night, which violates environmental laws.

Five houses had been demolished, with four belonging to the town and one owned by Kelsey. The three parties were charged for discarding waste, establishing a waste disposal ground and engaging in industrial activity without the required permits.

Following guilty pleas, the Town of Cabri and Knutson Excavating were each fined $21,000 and Kelsey was fined $9,000. This money goes towards the province’s Impacted Sites Fund, which provides support to municipal governments to clean up abandoned, environmentally impacted sites. The contractor also cleaned up the disposal site.

From the news release:
Improper waste disposal can have serious environmental impacts on the air, soil and water, and can also pose threats to human health. Demolishing a house creates many different types of waste. Some of that waste should never be burned because of the dangerous pollutants they emit and the contamination they leave behind. The Ministry of Environment recognizes that costs to municipalities to properly dispose of derelict buildings can be significant, and works with them to explore available options.
If you suspect wildlife, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations, please call Saskatchewan’s TIPP line at 1-800-667-7561, or call #5555 from a SaskTel cellular device. Violations can also be reported online at saskatchewan.ca/tipp. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for cash rewards from the SaskTip Reward Program.