Conservation officers are investigating the alleged illegal dumping of several black garbage bags filled with plasterboard at several sites along the Mamquam Forest Service Road.
The material, first discovered on May 17 and reported to The Chief by a reader, included drywall covered by "orange and yellow-patterned wallpaper covering, perhaps from an old bathroom or kitchen," the reader wrote.
The reader, who wrote on condition of anonymity because he fears retribution from the person or persons responsible, said the material included "10 industrial-grade black garbage bags full of old gyprock plasterboard from a renovation site" dumped at six locations along the Mamquam FSR, starting from just east of the Stawamus River crossing.
The reader called the dumping of the material "an abominable act" that shouldn't be tolerated.
Sgt. Chris Doyle of the B.C. Conservation Officer Service on Wednesday (May 25) said officers have launched an investigation into the matter, but could provide no further details.
"Unfortunately it happens too frequently on that road," Doyle said.
Under B.C.'s Environmental Management Act, the maximum penalty for littering is $2,000, but if the material comes from a business and causes pollution or environmental degradation, the business can be fined up to $1 million, Doyle said.
Drywall contains chemicals that, when wet, can leach into groundwater and become a contaminant that's toxic to flora and fauna. Because of that, landfills in B.C. charge a fee to cover the cost of proper disposal of drywall. The fee at the Squamish landfill is $140 per tonne.
In March, a Squamish resident admitted dumping old drywall at a trailhead near downtown Squamish after a person who witnessed the dumping reported it to authorities. In the earlier incident, the man was issued a violation ticket and ordered to retrieve the material and ensure its proper disposal.
Recreation site mayhem curbed
Conservation officers issued several warnings and orders for people to remove vehicles from Anderson Beach, a provincial recreation site where garbage and environmental degradation from unauthorized vehicles have been a problem on past May long weekends.
The site, located along the Squamish River in the Upper Squamish Valley, includes signage listing the regulations for its use, as well as barricades to keep vehicles out of areas where they can cause damage. Sgt. Chris Doyle of the B.C. Conservation Officer Service on Wednesday (May 25) said officers conducted patrols there on the weekend and issued several warnings and orders to those found to be in violation of the rules surrounding illegal vehicle use and littering.
"There have been a lot of problems there with people who park there and leave stuff behind," Doyle said. "There is a sign listing regulations at the provincial recreation site, with barricades, and the signs and the barricades often get moved. So if anyone knows who's doing that we would appreciate a call."
To report violations, please phone the Ministry of Environment's RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) line at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) or visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/rapp/rapp.html to report violators online.
'Bear jams' a problem
Conservation officers also attended several complaints about people approaching and feeding bears along Highway 99.
Stopping along the highway to gawk at and take photographs of bears and other wildlife is discouraged because it is a traffic and human safety hazard. Feeding bears is a violation of the Wildlife Act, largely because bears that are repeatedly fed by humans lose their fear of people and become more aggressive toward them.
Doyle said officers have attended "bear jams" both north and south of Squamish in recent days.
"There have been quite a few bear jams. Unfortunately, people try to feed the bears along the highway, which puts the bears at risk and creates a traffic hazard," he said.
Violators charged
Conservation officers conducted patrols of recreation sites and other high-use areas over the Victoria Day long weekend. Five people were charged with having open liquor in motor vehicles, two anglers were charged for licence violations and one person faces two charges related to the illegal use of a vehicle in a recreation site, Doyle said.
