Mitchell Golf & Country Club Inc. and Alfred John Schmoelzl, its employee, were fined $30,000 (plus 25% victim fine surcharge) for breaching the company’s permit to take water from the North Thames River in West Perth, contrary to the Ontario Water Resources Act. Based on water level data provided by the Conservation Authority, the company had taken water during dry periods, in contravention of its permit. The water taking records it provided to the MOE were false and misleading.
Taking too much water is one of the many ways that golf courses can have a serious adverse environmental impact. In addition, it is a serious offence to provide false information to the Ministry of the Environment.
