Province asks public to report poachers and polluters.

M2 PRESSWIRE-31 March 2006-British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands & Parks: Province asks public to report poachers and polluters(C)1994-2006 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:30032006

PENTICTON - New highway signs, a website and a toll-free hotline for the public to report poachers and polluters were approved by Environment Minister Barry Penner, who is attending the 50^th Annual Meeting of the BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) today in Penticton.

"The Conservation Officer Service is seeking the public's help in catching people who break our environmental laws," said Penner. "The Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) signs and free hotline give the public an opportunity to help protect our environment - anonymously and without risk of confronting the offender."

The public can report violators 24 hours a day, seven days a week by visiting www.rapp.bc.ca or by calling 1-877-952-RAPP (7277). The new signs, which are scheduled to be installed starting in June, will help get the message out to the public. They will also be easy to use for cell phone users by dialing #RAPP.

"We're hiring more conservation officers this year, but the public and local communities can also help us stop environmental violations," said Penner. "Polluters are dangerous to our environment, our health and the economy. The water we drink, the air we breathe and the foods we eat all come from the environment and we need the public's eyes, ears and good judgment to report known or suspected violators."

Under the B.C. Environmental Management Act, polluters can face a maximum $1-million fine and six months in jail. Under the B.C. Wildlife Act, a poacher can face a maximum $100,000 fine and one year in jail for a first offence. Illegally taking fish or damaging fish habitat has a maximum penalty of $1 million under the Canada Fisheries Act.