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In July 1985, the Ontario Government announced 
the creation of the Investigations and Enforcement 
Branch within the Ministry of the Environment with 
a strong mandate to increase the Ministry’s 
activities in the area of environmental enforcement. 
The Branch has a compliment of 59 trained 
Investigators, 33 support staff and 18 management 
for a total of 110 personnel. The Branch is vested 
with the responsibility of all aspects of 
environmental enforcement. The mandate of this 
Branch is to provide the Ministry with investigative 
proof of present infractions under existing 
legislation, to act as a deterrent to individuals and 
corporations who may attempt to violate Ontario’s 
environmental laws. 
The strategic objectives of the Branch are: 
1) To provide an identifiable, effective 
environmental enforcement agency. 
2) Develop improved enforcement programs 
for the Ministry by applying proven law 
enforcement techniques. 
3) Provide the Ministry with the means to 
affect pollution reduction through the 
enforcement of administrative instruments, 
i.e. orders, permits, certificates of approval 
and licences. 
4) Expand the Ministry’s ability to provide 
effective, specialized investigative services 
such as aerial and ground surveillance, 
intelligence and forensic accounting. 
BACKGROUND 
In 1978 an aerial surveillance program was 
implemented by the Ministry of the Environment, 
called "Operation Skywatch". It involves women 
pilots for airborne environmental patrols, which 
services all of Southern Ontario and parts of 
Northern Ontario, on a demand basis. The pilots 
are members of an international organization of 
women pilots called the "Ninety-Nines Inc." The 
99’s are involved in educational, charitable and 
scientific aviation activities. The group was 
established in November 1929, with Amelia Earhart 
as founder. The "Ninety-Nine’s" derives it’s name 
from the original chapter members who organized 
to further the role of women in aviation. 
The women pilots volunteer their time, while the 
cost of the aircraft and incidentals is borne by the 
Ministry. 
At regular intervals seminars are held with the 
pilots and Investigations and Enforcement staff to 
show how the photographs are interpreted and 
evaluated. 
The pilots show a keen interest in viewing the 
final results, due to their dedication and 
commitment in preserving the environment. 
Special ongoing training flights are carried out for 
flying vertical photographic flight lines as well as 
other specialized surveillance techniques. 
THE AIRCRAFT 
The aircraft used for aerial surveillance is the 
Cessna 172. It has been modified to serve as a 
platform for both oblique and vertical aerial 
photography. 
Camera port holes were designed and fabricated 
between the seat rails and forward of the right 
front seat of the aircraft. 
A special camera mount was designed to 
specifications to accommodate 3 different camera 
systems. 
1) A 4"x 5" Linhoff Aero Technica Camera, 
2) The Nikon F-3 - 35 mm Camera, and 
3) The Pentax 645 Camera System. 
The Pentax 645 camera system has proven to be 
the most adaptable to our needs of the three 
available systems. 
An optical navigation scope was designed and 
manufactured to fit onto the Pentax 645 camera 
system, which allows for direct viewing through 
the lens of the camera. 
Flight line navigation and drift control are 
determined by direct viewing of the ground track 
of the aircraft. 
To obtain optimum results on colour negative or 
transparency film, 220 roll film is used. Stereo is 
obtained in vertical and oblique photography. 
Local colour labs provide quick processing for 
image evaluation and interpretation. 
THE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH 
The aerial photograph is an important vehicle by 
which observations and perceptual capabilities can 
be heightened. 
Aerial photographs dramatically provide 
Investigators the opportunity to view, interpret and 
understand the landscape features of the earth, and 
the necessity of environmental enforcement. 
It is evident that aerial photography has far 
reaching applications. In no other way can the 
interplay of man/land/nature relationships be fully 
realized and appreciated. 
The aerial photograph is the most exact 
documentation available to the Ministry’s 
Investigations and Enforcement Branch. It 
accurately depicts and supports oral evidence 
tendered in a court of law. It enables those present 
to become familiar with the site(s) in question, and 
serves as a comparison to archival photographs. 
It is not the purpose of the Ministry to distort or 
misrepresent the facts, but use all manner of 
evidence to clearly portray the situation at the time