YOSEMITE GARDEN YIELDS 7K POT PLANTS

Law enforcement officers on Tuesday finished pulling more than 7,000
marijuana plants, valued at roughly $22 million, in Yosemite National
Park.

Park rangers found and seized 7,428 mature pot plants from three
gardens within 50 yards of each other. Those gardens -- in the
Chinquapin area, between Wawona and Yosemite Valley -- were all part of
the same growing operation, said park spokesman Scott Gediman.

"Anytime you have a growing operation like this in a national park
it's devastating to the natural resources," he said.

Gediman said these operations not only pollute waterways and destroy
native plants, but they also leave behind human waste and litter.

This week's bust -- which began Monday and lasted into Tuesday --
involved the Army National Guard, the California Department of
Justice's Campaign Against Marijuana Planting, the Mariposa County
Sheriff's Office and staff at several other national parks.

No arrests were made in connection with the bust.

The growing site -- found in a remote, rugged area of the park --had the
characteristics of a Mexican drug trafficking enterprise, including a
sophisticated water system and the use of fertilizers, pesticides and
herbicides, park officials said.

"This is an unacceptable activity that will not be tolerated in
Yosemite National Park," said Acting Park Superintendent Kevin Cann.
"We will work with the Justice Department on these cases to ensure
that marijuana cultivation does not get established in Yosemite and
that the park remains safe for visitors."

Chief Ranger Steve Shackelton said park staff is always on the lookout
for marijuana growing operations.

"We are sending a message to the growers that you will not make a
nickel if you try bringing your activity into Yosemite," he said.