Pubdate: Tue, 17 Sep 2013
Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA)
Copyright: 2013 Chico Enterprise-Record
Contact:  http://www.chicoer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/861
Author: Mary Weston

STATE, LOCAL ISSUES MESH DURING LEGISLATIVE UPDATE IN OROVILLE

OROVILLE - Illegal pot grows and water issues dominated the
discussions at the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative
Series conference Monday, although whiskey was also mentioned.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) and Butte County Supervisor Bill
Connelly addressed a room full of people in City Council Chambers who
came to hear how federal and county legislation and regulations impact
the area.

Illegal marijuana cultivation

LaMalfa co-authored legislation for sentencing people convicted of
illegally growing marijuana. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Jared
Huffman (D-San Rafael) introduced the Protecting Lands Against
Narcotics Trafficking Act, called the PLANT Act, to the house in July.

The legislation is one way of battling illegal marijuana cultivation
and the associated pollution of forests, LaMalfa said.

The bill allows the U.S. Sentencing Commission to set
penalties.

The bill defines who would be punished, such as people convicted of
growing marijuana on federal land, who trespass on private property
and who use chemical fertilizers and pesticides that create hazards
for humans or wildlife.

LaMalfa said laws are disproportionate, prosecuting and fining
legitimate businesses such as timber companies, while illegal
marijuana growers thrive.

"The only people that are secure in the forest seem to be people doing
illegal activities," he said.

Connelly showed aerial pictures of large bald patches of land in the
foothills that have been denuded of vegetation for illegal grows.

The county has recently brought charges against property owners for
illegally grading in these areas.

Supervisors have also approved a marijuana cultivation
ordinance.

 From the audience, Bonnie Marciniak said the ordinance allows too many
marijuana plants to be grown, adversely impacting nearby properties
and residents.

Connelly said the county approved a strict ordinance that was shot
down by attorneys paid by illegal growers.

Then the county approved an ordinance that was a compromise between
advocates and opponents.

In October, the county will dive into the medical marijuana ordinance
again at Connelly's suggestion.

Connelly implored citizens impacted by marijuana grows to fill out
forms available for public comment.

In addition, the county has convinced some water quality inspectors to
inspect marijuana grows.

Many state agency representatives are afraid to go into marijuana
grows because of AK-47s and other weapons that have been confiscated
from illegal growers, Connelly said.

"Both the congressman and I have been into these areas," Connelly
said.

Connelly said the grows threaten the health and safety of nearby
property owners because of the high cash value crops, the resulting
crimes and the chemicals used for grows.

Some audience members agreed that you don't control your own life when
you live near grows.

On water

Oroville City Councilman David Pittman asked LaMalfa if he could help
induce the National Marine Fisheries Service to finish a study that
has held up the federal electric generation license on the Lake
Oroville Dam for about six years.

Local government agencies have been waiting for settlements of money,
local improvements and other recreational goodies pending the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission issuing a license to the state Department
of Water Resources.

LaMalfa said his office would help if possible. He said like all
bureaucracies, the agencies have no incentive to move swiftly.

 From the audience, Celia Hirschman of the Historic District
Neighborhood Watch asked what can be done about local water rate
increases proposed by California Water Service Company.

Connelly said he lives in the South Feather Water and Power district
so his bill is half of what Cal Water charges.

That's because South Feather acquired water rights decades ago that
offset water rates.

Connelly said he didn't know what, if anything, could be done to get
rid of Cal Water in Oroville.

Connelly said the issue had been broached years ago, but Cal Water
said the company would hire attorneys to oppose any movement to remove
the agency.

Connelly went on a short tangent about all the state and outside
agencies that want a piece of Oroville's water, including the
governor's proposal for tunnels.

But he said water and other issues impacting the north state boil down
to money and a simple majority vote with the majority living farther
south.

Connelly said it won't stop because people outside Butte County want
revenues from the water.

He quoted a phrase often attributed but never documented as stated by
Mark Twain:

"Whiskey's for drinking; water is for fighting over," Connelly
said.

When asked, LaMalfa said he understands why northern counties have
written letters asking to split the state, and Modoc County will soon
follow suit.

If people in Southern California think the north state is full of
ignorant "hicks" who don't know how to manage their resources, LaMalfa
said he has an answer.

"I would tell them to let my people go," LaMalfa quipped.

Syria developments

On bombing Syria, LaMalfa said he has listened to all the arguments,
but he has not been convinced that a military attack would be
successful or change anything.

"If I had to vote right now, I would vote no," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt