HERGER POT RESOLUTION PASSES HOUSE

Dangling from a nylon rope 100 feet below a helicopter, Rep. Wally
Herger, R-Chico, was flown several miles to a remote marijuana
plantation in Shasta County's forests in August.

That's how law officers were flown into the site where, once it was
secure, they uprooted marijuana plants worth thousands of dollars
apiece, Herger said in a phone interview Thursday from Washington.

The north-state congressman went on this airborne "ride-along" to
witness efforts to eradicate pot plantations.

The flight "was eight echelons above a D ride at Disneyland," he said.

That day, Herger said he learned from local law officers that they
were losing the battle to solve a widespread and rapidly growing
problem on Northern California's public lands.

He said the marijuana plantations are created and tended typically by
Mexicans who have entered the United States illegally and who are
employed by Mexican drug-trafficking cartels.

The pot growers have shot at officers, threatened hikers and severely
damaged the environment, he said. "They leave behind tons of trash
and dangerous chemicals."

Back in Washington, Herger said he organized a meeting among agencies
that are supposed to be addressing this problem. These included the
Department of Homeland Security, the Office of National Drug Control,
the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Forest Service and the
Bureau of Land Management.

Herger said he asked if they lacked the money to properly address the
issue. Their answer, he said, was that they had plenty of money but
that the problem wasn't a top priority for the federal government and
that coordination among the agencies was lacking.

As a result, Herger wrote House Resolution 1540, which urges federal
law-enforcement and drug-control agencies to create "a comprehensive
federal solution to Mexican drug cartels setting up shop on
north-state public lands," a news release from Herger's office stated.

The resolution passed the House, 400-4, Wednesday.

Herger called it an "important first step (that) lets them know they
need to make this a priority."

He said he will watch the agencies closely to see that the problem is solved.

"North-state law-enforcement officials have worked diligently to
eliminate this threat, but they do not have enough resources to
ensure long-term success," Herger said in a speech on the House
floor. "Unfortunately, the federal government has not taken
sufficient action to assist them.

"Our national forests should be a safe haven for families and
recreation enthusiasts, not Mexican drug cartels," Herger continued.
"The American people should not have to fear for their safety while
on a family camping trip."