Pubdate: Fri, 03 Mar 2006 Source: Porterville Recorder (CA) Copyright: 2006 The Porterville Recorder Contact: http://www.portervillerecorder.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2887 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?208 (Environmental Issues) MARIJUANA GARDEN SITES CLEARED OF DEBRIS A month-long project to restore natural conditions to 166 acres of wilderness damaged by illegal marijuana farming has been completed. The effort, which teamed Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks law enforcement and natural resources staff with elements of the California Conservation Corps, the California Army National Guard and the California Air National Guard, saw the removal of 4,650 pounds of garbage and hose, camp infrastructure and 5.3 miles of irrigation hose from 31 gardens and seven camps that were occupied by illegal growers in 2002. Park staff found that 5,176 pounds of fertilizer; three gallons of pesticides, predominately malathion; and 10 pounds of rodenticides had been used in a 5.1 acre site, while crews cleaned up and filled in six garbage pits. Illegal marijuana cultivation in Sequoia National Park has increased dramatically since 2001. The National Park Service has eradicated more than 113,000 marijuana plants from the park since 2001. No injuries were reported during the cleanup effort. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom