Three Grand Bend-area property owners have entered guilty pleas for unpermitted work at three Beach O’Pines properties.
The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) said the accused hired a contractor to excavate the beach and sand dune and place armour stone blocks and stone material on the beach in front of the three properties in 2019, all without permission.
Ryan Finch, Brian Finch and Georgina Finch entered guilty pleas to offences pursuant to the Conservation Authorities Act.
The matter has been adjourned to January 26, 2023, and the court agreed to defer sentencing until after the landowners have completed supervised restoration work.
ABCA Regulations Coordinator and Provincial Offences Officer Daniel King said the pleas are reminders of the need to abide by laws that protect life, property and the environment.
"We hope this case reminds and educates property owners about the need to obtain the required legal permissions before proceeding with proposed development," he said.
King said construction and other development requires conservation authority approval in all regulated areas.
He said calling conservation authority staff first can help a property owner to avoid costly and avoidable fines, the costs of removing unapproved works and restoring a property, and even time in court.
Property owners can call the ABCA at 519-235-2610.
