Pubdate: Wed, 29 Jul 2015
Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Chico Enterprise-Record
Contact:  http://www.chicoer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/861
Note: Letters from newspaper's circulation area receive publishing priority
Author: Nancy Roybal

REPORT POT GROWERS TO HELP PRESERVE WATER IN DROUGHT

Commercial pot growers worsen the drought conditions in Butte County. 
Marijuana's high water demands deplete wells. Growers divert water 
and transport it to stay afloat until harvest season. The Office of 
Emergency Management has stepped in to provide life-saving water 
needs for families.

Groundwater supplies in foothill communities cannot sustain 
noncompliant marijuana grows. Citizens can help. Ordinance 4075 
(Measure A) is only enforced if illegal grows are reported to Butte 
County code enforcement. It's a reactive (complaint driven) system 
that works well.

Reporting pot growing activities is easy. Just call Butte County's 
anonymous tip line: 538-6000. If you prefer, go to the website: 
www.buttecounty.net and click on "Documents" to print the medical 
marijuana cultivation complaint form. Fill the form out and drop it 
off at Butte County code enforcement.

A dedicated team of code enforcement officers make site inspections 
to ensure compliance. Butte County sheriff's deputies accompany them 
to assure safety. They are all doing a tremendous job enforcing 
Measure A. The final perk is water saved for people and wildlife.

- - Nancy Roybal, Oroville
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom