Camper fined for overstaying Crown permit

BRACEBRIDGE — An Utterson camper who overstayed his permit in Huntsville was fined in a Bracebridge courtroom last week.

A camping trailer (not this one in particular) was left more than the allowable 21 days.

John-Paul Evans pleaded guilty and was fined $1,000 for camping at one location on Crown land for more than 21 days.

A Ministry of Natural Resources and Foresty release says he was fined under the Public Lands Act.

Court heard that during the spring and summer of 2017, a conservation officer located a large camping trailer on Crown land, northeast of the town of Huntsville.

It was determined the owner, Evans, had left the trailer in the same location well in excess of the 21-day camping restriction.

Justice of the Peace Linda Kay heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Bracebridge, on April 4, 2018.

The public is reminded that camping on Crown land is restricted to 21 days per year at one location to allow equal access to popular camping spots and to reduce environmental impacts.

To report a natural resources violation, call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). And visit Ontario.ca/mnrftips to view an interactive, searchable map of unsolved cases. You may be able to provide information that will help solve a case.