MARIJUANA GARDEN SITES CLEARED OF DEBRIS

A month-long project to restore natural conditions to 166 acres of
wilderness damaged by illegal marijuana farming has been completed.

The effort, which teamed Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks law
enforcement and natural resources staff with elements of the
California Conservation Corps, the California Army National Guard and
the California Air National Guard, saw the removal of 4,650 pounds of
garbage and hose, camp infrastructure and 5.3 miles of irrigation
hose from 31 gardens and seven camps that were occupied by illegal
growers in 2002.

Park staff found that 5,176 pounds of fertilizer; three gallons of
pesticides, predominately malathion; and 10 pounds of rodenticides
had been used in a 5.1 acre site, while crews cleaned up and filled
in six garbage pits.

Illegal marijuana cultivation in Sequoia National Park has increased
dramatically since 2001. The National Park Service has eradicated
more than 113,000 marijuana plants from the park since 2001.

No injuries were reported during the cleanup effort.