Drug threat on federal public lands
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The fastest-growing wildlife on U.S. public lands may be illegal drug producers. Two congressional subcommittees will hold a joint field hearing Friday at Wuksachi Village and Lodge in Sequoia National Park to investigate increases in drug production within the boundaries of national parks and forests.
According to law enforcement figures, almost 600,000 marijuana plants, 187 meth labs and 120 meth dump sites were destroyed on public lands in 2002. One of the catalysts for the hearing is concern that armed drug dealers are operating in areas open to hikers and tourists.
Rep. Doug Ose (R-Sacramento), co-chairman of the meeting, said the drug activity on public lands was a result of tightened borders after the Sept. 11 attacks. He added that drug producers were also a threat to the land.
“It’s causing an environmental nightmare when our people have to go in there and clean it up.”
-- J. Michael Kennedy
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