Pubdate: Thu, 10 Oct 2013
Source: Chico News & Review, The (CA)
Copyright: 2013 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.newsreview.com/chico/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/559

WATER INSPECTORS GET ON BOARD

State Water Quality Board Agrees to Monitor Local Marijuana Grows

After initially saying the job is too dangerous, the state Regional 
Water Quality Control Board has agreed to inspect marijuana-growing 
operations in the Butte County foothills.

Earlier this year, the county sent a request to the board asking that 
it provide inspectors locally. The request was denied because of the 
perceived dangers posed by some of the growers.

According to a press release from state Sen. Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber), 
he and Assemblyman Dan Logue (R-Marysville) met with local officials, 
state water board staff and a representative of Gov. Jerry Brown to 
discuss the environmental impacts of the grows, which can involve the 
illegal grading of soil that leads to erosion and the runoff of 
pesticides and fertilizers into area streams and lakes. The Butte 
County Sheriff's Office will provide protection for the inspectors.

"We will all benefit from this effort to ensure the quality of the 
water," Nielsen said in the press release.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom