A Kelvington area company has been fined over $160,000 dollars for altering shorelines.

The transportation company Schmidt Trucking was fined after the Government of Saskatchewan says it commenced unauthorized activity on Highway 24 between Spiritwood and Chitek Lake. The government contends that the company did not follow permit conditions in relation to culvert installations.

The case began a year ago when Spiritwood conservation officers observed a significant amount of soil and debris at a creek flowing directly into Chitek Lake.

The government says in 2022 Schmidt Trucking was hired to install culverts for the Highway 24 upgrade project and the installation work blocked and altered the natural flow of creeks in the area, which can lead to potential ecological harm and possibly impacts fish-bearing waters