A Salmon Arm property owner paid $55,000 in fines for removing trees without a permit.

In June 2023, City of Salmon Arm bylaw enforcement responded to complaints about a large number of trees having been cut down from an approximately six-acre property at 2391 26th Ave. NE. City staff told the Observer at that time that the city had received applications for a tree cutting permit, rezoning and subdivision application for the site on March 7, 2023, but none of the permits had been approved.

鈥淲hen staff attended the site on June 5, 2023, the contractor cutting the trees was instructed to stop work, which they did immediately,鈥� said the city in a May 24 post on social media. 鈥淥ver the next few weeks, the extent of the cutting was further reviewed, evidence collected and compiled, and the number of trees cut was determined to be 167.鈥�

The city said that on August 21, 2023, it filed 167 individual offence notices under the Offence Act in Provincial Court, 鈥渁lleging that the owner of the property had cut those trees in violation of the Tree Removal and Protection Bylaw 2305.鈥�

鈥淥n May 22, 2024, the matter was heard in court, and under a consent plea, the property owner pleaded guilty to 55 individual offences, and paid a fine in the amount of $55,000,鈥� said the city.

鈥淭he city is committed to protecting trees and the tree canopy in the community. We are hopeful that this outcome acts as a deterrent to others who intend to cut trees without the necessary approvals.鈥�

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