Over the three-day period from September 18th to September 20th, rangers and Marin County deputies, working in conjunction with an NPS special agent, the California National Guard, and the Marin Municipal Water District, conducted further marijuana investigation and eradication operations in the park’s Bolinas Ridge area. Three plantations were entered and approximately 17,000 female plants were removed. Harvesting had begun in several of the sites, and some processed marijuana was also discovered and seized. So far this year, rangers and officers have discovered and removed over 43,000 female plants and 35,000 male plants at a dozen different locations. Some significant leads have also been developed and pursued regarding the growers. The areas under cultivation suffered extensive resource damage from the growing operations. Growers are killing wildlife, diverting streams that contain threatened species of fish, using harmful pesticides and other poisons, and cutting down trees and other vegetation to allow greater sunlight into the marijuana plantations. Weapons and ammunition have been found in many of the sites, including .357 ammo and bullets for an AK-47. A comprehensive resource assessment is being conducted, which will be forwarded to the US Attorney’s Office for use when suspects are identified and prosecuted.
