Pubdate: Tue, 24 Jul 2012
Source: Porterville Recorder (CA)
Copyright: 2012 Freedom Communications Inc.
Contact: http://www.recorderonline.com/sections/editor-form/
Website: http://www.recorderonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2887

POT GROWERS SHOW DISREGARD FOR ENVIRONMENT

When law enforcement announces the finding of an illegal marijuana 
garden on forest land what usually gets the attention of people is 
the dollar amount of the plants cut down.

However, what should be getting attention is the environmental damage 
done by these illegal growers, and the health damage they may be 
causing by the chemicals they are using on plants that could 
eventually end up being inhaled by a marijuana user.

Law enforcement for several years now has noticed the environmental 
damage done by these illegal gardens and federal district attorneys 
that prosecute the cases are taking a harder stance.

In an arrest announced last week by the U.S. District Attorney's 
office, it was noted the two men were also being charged with 
damaging public lands and natural resources. The press release on the 
arrest of the two men noted trash and water lines were found 
throughout the site, native oak trees and other vegetation were cut 
down or otherwise killed to make room for the marijuana plants, the 
soil was tilled, and fertilizers, pesticides, and rodenticides were 
spread throughout the site. At several recent busts of gardens in the 
mountains, Tulare County officials found similar chemicals and the 
carcasses of two animals, including a bear.

A recent study by UC Davis found those poisons are showing up in 
animals which feed on the rodents killed by the poisons. Officials 
said the wildlife and environmental damage done on our national 
forests is much more than people realize. It is effecting the entire 
food chain and even contaminating streams, rivers and groundwater on 
the forest.

A Fish and Game warden commended Tulare County for its aggressive 
approach in trying to eradicate the illegal gardens and for its 
efforts in cleaning up those gardens. A group of volunteers out of 
Clovis have been extremely helpful in cleaning up the toxic waste sites.

We can all do our part as well. Those who run across or know of an 
illegal grow site need to inform authorities, even if plants are no 
longer visible. The officials that spoke to The Recorder said the 
growers will return to a garden if the infrastructure is still in place.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom