This Division is located in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador and the following provides a brief
overview of it's responsibilities:
Introduction
In any resource management program, sound protection for the resource is of upmost importance.
The Legislation and Compliance Division provides support for all natural resources enforcement within the Department.
This Division also provides provincial and department wide direction in implementing legislation
and policies affecting forest and wildlife resources.
The Department is responsible for enforcing the Provincial Forestry Act, Wild Life Act
and Endangered Species Act. Other legislation enforced include the Motorized Snowmobile and
ATV Regulations, Fisheries Act, Migratory Bird Convention Act and Wild Animal and Plant Protection
and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act; the primary responsibility for enforcement
of these Acts and Regulations lie with other Agencies. However, Conservation Officers do have authority to enforce
this legislation and routinely take enforcement action when encountering violations, as well as
providing assistance and conducting joint enforcement operations with other agencies.
The Division consists basically of two sections:
Investigations and Intelligence Section
This section coordinates special investigations and plays an integral role in the development
of policy for special investigations as well as provides expertise for the development of new
legislation, policies, procedures and standards. Special investigations are conducted to detect
and apprehend persons involved in the unlawful taking of our natural resources for commercial purpose.
The section ensures that all special investigations are conducted safely, professionally, efficiently
and in a manner that is acceptable to the courts and the public.
Policy and Legislation Section
This section develops and reviews policies applicable to the enforcement program. The section
coordinates changes to natural resources legislation with the Department of Justice which may
become necessary to review or update in consideration of changing situations in the field or of
desired results or interventions. The section also explores new initiatives to improve the enforcement
program and assists in developing cooperative agreements with other enforcement agencies to improve
the overall enforcement effort towards protecting and conserving the Provinces natural resources.
Enforcement training is another important component that this section is responsible for. It is a
constant task to improve and keep abreast of continuing advances in the enforcement field. The department's
enforcement database on infractions and other matters deemed necessary for proper enforcement is also coordinated
by this section.
The Legislation and Compliance Division basically oversees the overall enforcement effort
put forth by the Department. This enforcement effort is broken down into Regions and then into
Districts. The success of our enforcement program hinges on the commitment of our frontline
Conservation Officers. These Officers conduct patrols, investigations and interact with resource
users/general public on a day to day basis to conserve and protect our natural resources.
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