The City of North Bay is asking anyone who sees illegal dumping of snow onto area roads to contact Public Works.
The message comes from Coun. Chris Mayne, Chairman of Infrastructure and Operations in response to concerns from an area resident who claims illegal snow dumping happens on a regular basis.
"This is a city that used to be a big snowmobile area, people used to access the lake all the time with snowmobiles," said Stewart Miller, a concerned citizen.
"Well, they are not doing it because those accesses are blocked by the residents that own houses on either side of the road allowance are depositing their snow with the city's knowledge and permission, onto the road allowances."
See related: Area resident angry over snow piles on area road allowances
Mayne insists public access points around the city should always be available for public access.
"If anyone notices that one is being blocked please contact Public Works," said Mayne, in an email to BayToday.
"Sometimes our own crews may unintentionally block a trail or pathway without realizing it and we are pleased to reopen access that may have been blocked.
"If Public Works determines that an individual has been blocking a Public Access point it then moves to By-Law Enforcement to see if the source of the snow can be determined and the situation rectified.
Mayne says under City By-laws individuals are not permitted to store snow on anything other than roadside immediately adjacent to their own property.
"As an example, pushing snow across the street from your own driveway to the opposite side of the road, or building out the snowbank and narrowing the roadway, are both by-law offences," said Mayne.
"Public access to enjoy the lakes and trails in our community is important and appreciated by everyone in our community. “
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