LA Times · Aug 7, 2015
Gov. Jerry Brown signs law targeting illegal marijuana grows
A warden with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife hacks down pot plants found growing in a deep ravine in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Kernville.Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday signed into law a measure allowing steep civil fines against marijuana farms that damage the environment by dumping wastewater and chemicals, removing trees and killing wild animals.
The measure, one of 16 bills signed by the governor Friday, is meant to expand the powers of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife at a time when illegal marijuana operations are expanding significantly.