Illegal marijuana cultivation has become a problem.
The National Park Service removed illegal marijuana plants from California’s Sequoia National Park this month. Rangers from the park service collaborated with special agents from the Bureau of Land Management in an operation that cleared 2,377 fully grown marijuana plants and 2,000 pounds of trash, according to an NPS press release. The site also contained a semi-automatic pistol and several hazardous chemicals, including Methamidophos, a banned insecticide in the United States.
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The 13-acre grow site was cleared using hand labor and helicopters. Rangers discovered the cultivation site last year, but they could not clear it at the time because of the presence of toxic chemicals. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing, the press statement said, adding a request for public tips about illegal cultivation on park land.
Damage to the park was extensive. The illegal site diverted water flow from a nearby creek to the cultivation area and installed irrigation lines. Traffickers built large pits to store the diverted water. Substantial natural vegetation was cleared, terraces were dug for marijuana planting, and campsites and kitchen areas were constructed. The NPS also found evidence of poaching and illegally maintained trails spanning about two miles.
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Illegal cultivation sites like these can cause severe environmental degradation. A single marijuana plant uses 6-8 gallons of water daily, NPS said, citing the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. This water would otherwise support local vegetation and wildlife. In addition to growing operations, water is used for cooking and bathing. Runoff from such sites often contains harmful pesticides that may contaminate water sources and damage plants.
Drug trafficking organizations have operated large-scale production around and within Sequoia and its neighboring Kings Canyon National Parks. These activities threaten the environment, the public, and park staff. “In the last 20 years, nearly 300,000 plants with a value of almost $850 million have been eradicated in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks,” the statement said.
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Millions of travelers visit the 63 national parks in the United States every year. Incidents of poor behavior, property damage, and unsafe encounters with wildlife are common. Concerns about overcrowding have also grown, with some parks now requiring reservations.
Although Sequoia did not rank among the 10 most-visited national parks in 2024, it remains an extraordinary place of natural beauty. The second-oldest national park in the U.S., after Yellowstone, it was established in 1890 to protect its renowned sequoia trees. Last year, it welcomed 1.3 million visitors. A highlight is the 275-foot-tall General Sherman Tree, the largest living tree in the world. Many other majestic sequoias can be found in the park, and hikes through groves like the Giant Forest have become a must for nature lovers.
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