'Large-Scale' North Bay Marijuana Grow Site Destroyed This Week: Officials

NORTH BAY, CA -- Authorities say they uprooted and destroyed more than 3,000 marijuana plants this week from an allegedly illegal marijuana grow site discovered in Calabazas Creek Open Space Preserve. On Wednesday, an eight-member Sonoma County sheriff's SWAT team joined two officials from the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District to access the suspected grow area on the 1,290-acre preserve near Glen Ellen.

The grow operation estimated to be just over a half-acre in size was reportedly "under canopy cover and consisted of rows of planting wells sculpted into the hillside fed by irrigation line, accompanied by an unoccupied camp site," according to a news release.

The ag district became aware of the potential grow site earlier this spring and contacted the sheriff's office to coordinate Wednesday’s site visit.

"Large-scale, illegal cannabis cultivation severely threatens our water, wildlife and the natural landscapes we value here in Sonoma County," said District General Manager Bill Keene. "We are grateful to the Sheriff’s Office for thoughtfully taking action to eliminate this particular grow operation on one of the District’s most pristine and wild properties – Calabazas Creek Open Space Preserve."

A sheriff's official said assisting the district with such operations ensures eradication efforts are done safely.

"Many times these grow operations are tended to by armed suspects and we don’t want anyone to get hurt as these operations are dismantled," said Sgt. Spencer Crum, a spokesman for the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.

Large-scale illegal cannabis grows such as this lead to environmental degradation, said Supervisor Susan Gorin, whose 1st District includes the preserve.

Adverse effects cited by Sonoma officials include toxic chemicals from pesticides, rodenticides and fertilizers tainting the soil and running off into local creeks and streams inhabited by salmon, steelhead and other aquatic species; growers clearing native vegetation and leaving behind large amounts debris in abandoned camps; and water diversion and the creation of fertilizer mixing basins to irrigate the cannabis crops.

"I’m proud that our County departments are working together to stop the spread of illegal grows on lands protected by and for Sonoma County residents," Gorin said.

By Maggie Avants (Patch Staff) / Image via Shutterstock