Pubdate: Fri, 08 Sep 2006 Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA) Copyright: 2006 The Fresno Bee Contact: http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/lets_ed/send/ Website: http://www.fresnobee.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/161 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1178/a09.html Author: Everett Norcross Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John) RADANOVICH'S ROLE John Walters, President Bush's "drug czar," personally brought the fight against the cultivation of marijuana on public lands to the Valley recently. Mr. Walters' participation in marijuana-eradication operations in the Sierra National Forest was a significant public statement that federal, state and local authorities are cooperating at unprecedented levels to fight the Mexican drug cartels that are poisoning our public lands. While Mr. Walters and our law enforcement officials deserve our thanks for their efforts, it also is important to recognize the efforts of Rep. George Radanovich in keeping attention focused on this important issue. Rep. Radanovich has long known that illegal marijuana cultivation is a danger to visitors and employees on our public lands and also residents of surrounding communities. He has been a leader in the fight against marijuana production on public lands. Thanks to his efforts, the House Subcommittee on National Parks conducted an oversight hearing on the National Park Service's efforts to combat the growth of illegal drugs in national parks. He also worked in a bipartisan fashion with Sen. Dianne Feinstein to encourage the U.S. Forest Service to devote appropriate resources to address this problem. Everett Norcross Fresno - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake