Firms pay $62K in reparations for fisheries violation

Firms pay $62K in reparations for fisheries violation

By David Burke

Source: squamishchief

6/24/2011

A company owned by a prominent local developer who died recently and an excavator hired by the developer have paid $62,000 in compensation and reparations after a restorative justice process was chosen over the court system to resolve a 2009 violation of the federal Fisheries Act.

W. Dowad Ltd. and L & A Equipment Ltd. were charged with constructing a rock stack wall closer to Newport Creek than is normally permitted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), "causing a harmful alteration to fish habitat," the parties said in a statement written June 9 and forwarded to The Chief on Tuesday (June 21).

When the wall was built in August 2009, neither company had obtained the required DFO approvals, the statement said.

"Both companies have considerable experience working in the Squamish area and were aware of the need to obtain the appropriate approvals from all levels of government prior to proceeding with construction," the statement said. "Management of W. Dowad Ltd. and L & A Equipment have accepted responsibility and acknowledge their part of the impact of fisheries resources in the area."