GROW-OPS THREAT TO ENVIRONMENT

Heavy use of fertilizers, pesticides for marijuana could harm creeks

Outdoor grow-ops are becoming an increasing concern for environmental
officials, a Ministry of the Environment spokesman said yesterday.

Jim Martherus, a senior environmental officer with the ministry, was
called to the site of an outdoor grow-op near Norwood on the 6th Line
South of Dummer in Douro- Dummer Township Aug. 1.

The OPP called the ministry, he said, after finding a fertilizer mix
station and a tank for diluting the fertilizer near a creek at the
back of the property.

Officers also found 5,976 marijuana plants worth almost $6 million on
the 80-acre property.

Outdoor grow-ops can pose an environmental hazard, Martherus said,
because of the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Hoses were being used on the property to draw water from the creek, he said.

"What can happen is that you can back-siphon into the creek," Martherus said.

Martherus said certain devices are needed to prevent fertilizers and
chemicals from leaking back into the water that's being pulled from the creek.

None of those devices were present at the 6th Line South of Dummer
property, he said.

But, Martherus said, there was no indication the area had sustained
any environmental damage or that pesticides were used on the plants.

Assessing the environmental impact from marijuana grow-ops is
becoming more common for the ministry, he said.

"We have gotten increasingly more calls on this type of situation,"
he said, adding the ministry is also concerned about toxic waste from
illegal methamphetamine labs.

[redacted], 33, and [redacted], 39, both of Toronto, are charged with
production of marijuana and possession of marijuana for the purpose
of trafficking. They are to appear in court Aug. 27.