Dear Editor:
On May 19 the Penticton office of the Conservation Officer Service received a report that there was a group of people behaving badly at the Madden Lake Recreation Site northwest of Oliver.
Two witnesses provided information that included photographs and licence plate numbers of individuals that were operating their ATVs in the lake and marshland alongside the lake.
As a result, charges were laid by way of a violation ticket on a 34-year- old Oliver man for “mud-bogging” under the Forest and Range Practices Act.
The ticket carries a specified penalty of $575.
The three lakes – Ripley, Madden and Sawmill – have seen significant wildlife and habitat damage over the years by some careless and irresponsible ATV and 4×4 users that see the wetlands as a destructive playground rather than the valuable habitat that it truly is.
These lakes and marshlands are home to many species of fish, turtles, amphibians, invertebrates, nesting waterfowl as well as necessary for wildlife of all species. The thoughtless actions of a few are certainly not indicative of the majority of off-road recreational enthusiasts.
The Conservation Officer Service would like to ask all back-country users to “tread lightly” while enjoying the back-country recreation of their choice. It is there for all of us to use and enjoy.
Please do your part to be an example and educate others on what it means to respect our natural resources.
The “Report a Poacher or Polluter” (RAPP) line of 1-877-952-RAPP (7277) is there to use when one witnesses environmental vandalism or abuse. Kudos to the two witnesses that did just that!
Bob Hamilton
Conservation Officer
South Okanagan
