The Province is looking to increase fines for those found breaking the rules in Provincial Parks and other public lands over the Summer.

But, the changes won't come into place, until Thursday, May 31, after the long weekend.

Environment Minister Shannon Phillips' one area of concern is right here in the Foothills with the Livingstone, Castle Mountain and Kananaskis Country areas.

"It is an area that we hear about all the time and that's why we re-deploy more enforcement into those areas around K-Country and in and around Castle Mountain, the Porcupine Hills and Livingstone."

Phillips says they'll allow enforcement officials at every level, the ability to write tickets, with increased fines on the spot.

"For the sort of garden variety offence, garbage dumping, improper care of a campfire, those kind of things. We heard loud and clear from recreation groups, from municipalities from others that those specified penalties provide a quicker tool. I was also listening to all the people who work for us, that they would far prefer to have that "on the spot" option open to them as an enforcement action."

Fines for entering restricted or prohibited areas are $402.

Random camping on public land for more than 14 days goes up from $172 to $287.

And failing to report to a mandatory watercraft inspection station will cost you $310.

 

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