County considering declaring state of emergency over marijuana in forest - Ukiah Daily Journal

County considering declaring state of emergency over marijuana in forestBy TIFFANY REVELLE The Daily Journal
Updated: 08/05/2010 12:24:58 AM PDT


Responding to citizens who wanted to bring in the National Guard to rid the Mendocino National Forest of marijuana cartels, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors has asked its legal counsel to look into declaring a state of emergency.

The board held an off-site meeting Tuesday in Covelo, where ranchers, hikers, hunters and other citizens concerned for their safety because of illegal growing in the forest spoke during an update on the issue.

"There were three people there that testified that they'd been shot at by growers in the forest," 3rd District Supervisor John Pinches said.

Pinches had asked for the discussion and a plan to "take our national forest back" after U.S. Forest Supervisor Tom Contreras reported in July that law enforcement had found 166 illegal marijuana gardens in the forest.

More at link