2 Arrested After Illegal Sonoma Park Cannabis Grow Site Found

PETALUMA, CA — Two people have been arrested and charged after California State Park peace officers discovered an illegal cannabis grow site with more than 1,500 plants within Sonoma Coast State Park, officials announced on Monday.

The grow site was discovered by park officers on Aug. 17 in Upper Willow Creek. Officers assigned to the department’s special enforcement team found that water was being diverted by the illegal growers from a nearby creek and channeled the water into several large pits with tarps, officials said.

Investigators believe that the creek water from these man-made wells were used to water cannabis plants within the grow site, officials said Monday. The site included the 1,500 plants and officers also discovered more than 1,000 pounds of trash including pesticides, rodenticides, a generator, gasoline and plastic irrigation lines.

Investigators also found that dozens of trees had been cut down by the growers to create a clearing for the cannabis plants, state officials said. In addition to the drug growing charges, the two people who were arrested and booked into the Sonoma County jail were charged with water diversion and possession of a loaded firearm, according to a news release.

State Parks’ Cannabis Watershed Protection Program is responsible for preventing and alleviating environmental damage from cannabis cultivation and supporting stewardship and operation in a manner that discourages and prevents cannabis cultivation on State Park lands. The program has identified more than 400 sites that have been impacted by cannabis grows in state parks across California.

Sonoma Coast State Park is made up of several beaches separated by rock bluffs and headlands. The park spans 17 miles from Bodega Head to Vista Trail which is located about four miles north of Jenner. The property lies along State Route 1 and consists of several beaches including Arched Rock Beach, Gleason Beach and Goat Rock Beach. It also offers camping and hiking along the Russian River and Willow Creek.