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Findings and Recommendations 14 findings
F1
During the summer of 2009 citizens observed and reported to the MCSO that tank trucks were making unauthorized withdrawals of water under cover of darkness, from the Potter Valley irrigation canals and other locations.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
the Mendocino County District Attorney, (DA), support the efforts of law enforcement agencies by prosecuting those who cause damage to water resources and the environment. (Findings 1-5, 8)
R6
it is the responsibility of citizens to perform due diligence and report suspected unauthorized taking of water and or creek degradation/pollution. (Findings 1-2, 13-14)
F2
The theft of water is a violation of California Penal Code §484 (petty theft) or §487 (grand theft, over $400).
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
the Mendocino County District Attorney, (DA), support the efforts of law enforcement agencies by prosecuting those who cause damage to water resources and the environment. (Findings 1-5, 8)
R6
it is the responsibility of citizens to perform due diligence and report suspected unauthorized taking of water and or creek degradation/pollution. (Findings 1-2, 13-14)
F3
The GJ obtained photographic evidence taken during the 2009 growing season, showing water being diverted from creeks for irrigation purposes at illegal marijuana growing sites.
Related Recommendations (4)
R1
MCSO, Department of Fish and Game, United States Forest Service, and BLM mount a coordinated and concentrated effort to prevent environmental and watershed damage early in the growing season by initiating environmental inspections and cleanup programs for known sites. (Findings 3-11)
R2
the Mendocino County District Attorney, (DA), support the efforts of law enforcement agencies by prosecuting those who cause damage to water resources and the environment. (Findings 1-5, 8)
R3
the DA charge growers, found in control of illegal sites, with the cost of site cleanup. (Findings 3-7, 9)
R4
the appropriate law enforcement agency use asset forfeiture funds to institute a program to clean up illegal sites, remove toxins, open the natural water flow, and dispose of material used at the site; i.e. plastic pipe, water storage containers, and plastic sheeting. (Findings 3-7, 9)
F4
Animal carcasses, human garbage, human waste, herbicides and animal poisons have been recently found at these sites.
Related Recommendations (4)
R1
MCSO, Department of Fish and Game, United States Forest Service, and BLM mount a coordinated and concentrated effort to prevent environmental and watershed damage early in the growing season by initiating environmental inspections and cleanup programs for known sites. (Findings 3-11)
R2
the Mendocino County District Attorney, (DA), support the efforts of law enforcement agencies by prosecuting those who cause damage to water resources and the environment. (Findings 1-5, 8)
R3
the DA charge growers, found in control of illegal sites, with the cost of site cleanup. (Findings 3-7, 9)
R4
the appropriate law enforcement agency use asset forfeiture funds to institute a program to clean up illegal sites, remove toxins, open the natural water flow, and dispose of material used at the site; i.e. plastic pipe, water storage containers, and plastic sheeting. (Findings 3-7, 9)
F5
Photos also show water being polluted by highly toxic compounds. These toxins are used as fertilizer and pesticides which are diluted by mixing them with water in dammed areas of the stream bed. Possession and use of many of these chemicals are banned In the United States. (See Appendix B)
Related Recommendations (4)
R1
MCSO, Department of Fish and Game, United States Forest Service, and BLM mount a coordinated and concentrated effort to prevent environmental and watershed damage early in the growing season by initiating environmental inspections and cleanup programs for known sites. (Findings 3-11)
R2
the Mendocino County District Attorney, (DA), support the efforts of law enforcement agencies by prosecuting those who cause damage to water resources and the environment. (Findings 1-5, 8)
R3
the DA charge growers, found in control of illegal sites, with the cost of site cleanup. (Findings 3-7, 9)
R4
the appropriate law enforcement agency use asset forfeiture funds to institute a program to clean up illegal sites, remove toxins, open the natural water flow, and dispose of material used at the site; i.e. plastic pipe, water storage containers, and plastic sheeting. (Findings 3-7, 9)
F6
Illegal marijuana growers have been responsible for the clear-cutting and clearing of vegetation, and the terracing of slopes that contribute to soil erosion and cause damage to the watershed.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1
MCSO, Department of Fish and Game, United States Forest Service, and BLM mount a coordinated and concentrated effort to prevent environmental and watershed damage early in the growing season by initiating environmental inspections and cleanup programs for known sites. (Findings 3-11)
R3
the DA charge growers, found in control of illegal sites, with the cost of site cleanup. (Findings 3-7, 9)
R4
the appropriate law enforcement agency use asset forfeiture funds to institute a program to clean up illegal sites, remove toxins, open the natural water flow, and dispose of material used at the site; i.e. plastic pipe, water storage containers, and plastic sheeting. (Findings 3-7, 9)
F7
Some streams have been diverted and others have carried toxins downstream to rivers and lakes. These toxins have devastated bird and aquatic life and pose a threat to human habitat.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1
MCSO, Department of Fish and Game, United States Forest Service, and BLM mount a coordinated and concentrated effort to prevent environmental and watershed damage early in the growing season by initiating environmental inspections and cleanup programs for known sites. (Findings 3-11)
R3
the DA charge growers, found in control of illegal sites, with the cost of site cleanup. (Findings 3-7, 9)
R4
the appropriate law enforcement agency use asset forfeiture funds to institute a program to clean up illegal sites, remove toxins, open the natural water flow, and dispose of material used at the site; i.e. plastic pipe, water storage containers, and plastic sheeting. (Findings 3-7, 9)
F8
Firearms and "booby" traps have been found at illegal grow sites. Federal inspectors and law enforcement officers have been injured during the process of cleanup activities.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
MCSO, Department of Fish and Game, United States Forest Service, and BLM mount a coordinated and concentrated effort to prevent environmental and watershed damage early in the growing season by initiating environmental inspections and cleanup programs for known sites. (Findings 3-11)
R5
appropriate equipment and procedures be used to insure the safety of cleanup crews. (Findings 8, 11-12)
F9
Federal employees have stated: “illegal grows of marijuana have left portions of the public land off-limits”. People have been shot and killed at these sites.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
MCSO, Department of Fish and Game, United States Forest Service, and BLM mount a coordinated and concentrated effort to prevent environmental and watershed damage early in the growing season by initiating environmental inspections and cleanup programs for known sites. (Findings 3-11)
F10
After law enforcement eradicates the crop, the materials used at remote sites are often left in place due to the difficulty and cost of removal.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
MCSO, Department of Fish and Game, United States Forest Service, and BLM mount a coordinated and concentrated effort to prevent environmental and watershed damage early in the growing season by initiating environmental inspections and cleanup programs for known sites. (Findings 3-11)
F11
These illegal grow sites are often re-used by growers utilizing the materials left from previous grows.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
MCSO, Department of Fish and Game, United States Forest Service, and BLM mount a coordinated and concentrated effort to prevent environmental and watershed damage early in the growing season by initiating environmental inspections and cleanup programs for known sites. (Findings 3-11)
R5
appropriate equipment and procedures be used to insure the safety of cleanup crews. (Findings 8, 11-12)
F12
The Bureau of Land Management, (BLM), has used the California Conservation Corps to clean up illegal sites.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
appropriate equipment and procedures be used to insure the safety of cleanup crews. (Findings 8, 11-12)
F13
It is important for all citizens of the County to be vigilant and to report any suspected illegal use of water to the Mendocino County Sheriffs’ Office Tip Line, (707) 467-9159.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
it is the responsibility of citizens to perform due diligence and report suspected unauthorized taking of water and or creek degradation/pollution. (Findings 1-2, 13-14)
F14
The MCSO is qualified to be the lead agency in the County for coordinating responses and investigations of reported water related crimes.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
it is the responsibility of citizens to perform due diligence and report suspected unauthorized taking of water and or creek degradation/pollution. (Findings 1-2, 13-14)