Park Rangers and Drug Enforcement Officers Remove Illegal Marijuana Cultivation Site at Point Reyes National Seashore

Date: July 26, 2006
Contact: John A. Dell’Osso, 415-464-5135

On July 20, 2006, an area near Bolinas Ridge was discovered with numerous illegal marijuana plants.

Rangers and the Marin County Major Crime Task Force, entered the grow site and removed approximately 2,500 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $3 million dollars. The investigation is continuing.

"We will aggressively pursue prosecution of illegal drug activities on parkland. We want to ensure the safety of our park visitors and safeguard the park’s outstanding resources," stated Colin Smith, Chief Law Enforcement Ranger at Point Reyes National Seashore.

The area suffered extensive resource damage from the growing operation. A comprehensive resource assessment is being conducted, but preliminary estimates show numerous trees were removed to make the site, several water holding ponds totaling over 5,000 gallons, were dug into the hillside, and an extensive irrigation system was constructed to a spring approximately ½ mile from the site. Insecticides and other hazardous materials were found on site, as well as a fully-developed camp with a kitchen area.

"The National Park Service wants to thank the other agencies involved in this multi-jurisdictional effort, including National Park Service Rangers from Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California State Parks, and Marin County Major Crime Task Force," stated Superintendent Don Neubacher.

Efforts are underway to remove all the garbage from the site and to do restoration work.

-NPS-