HELICOPTERS IN POT RAIDS KILL BIRDS, SPOOK STOCK, RESIDENTS SAY

Hearing elicits comment for BLM handbook

REDWAY (AP) -- Drug agents hunting for marijuana in low-flying
helicopters routinely kill birds, stampede farm animals, violate
environmental laws and terrify innocent homeowners, residents of
California's rugged north country testified Monday.

``You have to be here to see what it is like -- from the first of
August through September, it's like a war zone,'' Dan Weaver said.

Weaver and two dozen others testified at a public hearing ordered as
part of a settlement in a lawsuit challenging Operation Greensweep, an
August 1990 drug raid.

``The big problem is these helicopters,'' Weaver said. ``This whole
thing would be calmed down significantly by getting those guys up higher.''

Residents complained that their privacy and property were violated and
said the rotor wash from the helicopters killed birds and spooked livestock.

Last June, the settlement called on the federal Bureau of Land
Management to create a handbook for its drug raiders. The guidelines
are expected to be released in June.

Ed Denson said helicopters buzzed his barn and frightened his
workers.

``They say they fly at 500 feet, but actually they're coming in at 200
feet. We're saying the handbook should require them to fly at least
1,000 to 1,500 feet,'' said Denson, who lives in Redway in Humboldt
County.

Redway is within the so-called ``Emerald Triangle'' made up of
Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity counties. The region is known for its
lush wilderness and is the richest marijuana-growing area in the
nation. Last year, authorities reportedly seized 1,100 marijuana
plants and more than eight tons of cultivation gear there.

The many local, state and federal agencies that typically participate
in the raids will not be directly affected by the BLM handbook, but as
the first of its kind, it could influence how other agencies operate.

Monday's hearing was intended to take public comment for that book.
The BLM declined to take part in the meeting, citing security concerns.