Damage to the area includes:
- Diversion of the natural flow of water from a nearby creek and installation of irrigation lines
- Construction of a large pit to store diverted water from a nearby creek
- Significant clearing of natural vegetation
- Digging of terraces into the hillside for potential planting of marijuana
- Development of campsites, kitchen areas, and cultivation site in wild areas
Large marijuana cultivation sites can have major impacts on the Central Valley. A single marijuana plant uses 6-8 gallons of water a day. (Statistic from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife). Diverting water for marijuana cultivation takes away a source that would otherwise nurture wildlife and vegetation. In addition, water for personal use (drinking, bathing, cooking, etc.) and for crop irrigation travels from the mountains/parks to parts of the Central Valley. Water run-off from large cultivation sites can be tainted, since a large number of pesticides are used in growing marijuana. (Statistics from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
For over a decade, well-organized drug-trafficking organizations have been operating large-scale cultivation operations in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. These cultivation sites cause major damage to the parks' natural resources and are a serious threat to public and staff safety. In the last 14 years, nearly 300,000 plants with a value of almost $850 million have been eradicated in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.