A Windsor area man has a year to pay a $25,000 fine for destroying the habitat of an endangered snake.
The Ministry of Natural Resources started investigating after the man hired contractors to clear vegetation on properties adjacent to the Ojibway Tallgrass Prairie Heritage Park in February and March 2022. The ministry said the man didn't have the necessary approvals and permits.
The properties, owned by his son and the Town of LaSalle, are considered unsuitable for development because they are designated areas of the "natural environment."
The Eastern Fox Snake has been observed more than 300 times within a kilometre of the properties.
The work removed features like rock piles and shrubbery used by the endangered snake. Heavy equipment compacted the soil so Eastern Fox Snakes hibernating underground could not emerge.
The ministry laid charges, and Charles Lavin was convicted of one violation under the Endangered Species Act on April 26.
The court ordered him to pay $20,000 to the City of Windsor, directed to the Ojibway Nature Centre, a $5,000 fine, and a $1,250 victim surcharge.
