An Edmonton man pleaded guilty to environmental damage charges for driving an off highway vehicle through a Nordegg area creek.
Kerry Paul Rivard, 55, was fined $500 April 10 after being charged with a Public Lands Act count of disturbing any public land that results or is likely to result in injury to the bed or shore of any water body of any type.
A patrolling Rocky Mountain House RCMP officer caught Rivard driving an off highway vehicle onto and causing damage to Lawrence Creek, a Baptiste River tributary, near the Jack Fish Lake Road on Oct. 7, 2012. Rivard complied when told to leave the creek. The officer noted a bridge crossing the creek was located nearby.
The RCMP investigation was assisted by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development fisheries technicians who warn vehicles entering streambeds can harm fishery resources.
Rocky Mountain House RCMP and Clearwater County officials remind off highway vehicle users must follow rules including keeping to designated or established trails and respecting public and private property. They must not operate in streams unless directly crossing at low speed, trespass on closed roads or damage stream side vegetation or natural areas such as sheep habitat or riparian areas like muskegs.