The State - News from Feb. 21, 1989

Members of Greenpeace USA built a makeshift wire fence around several open barrels of cyanide found abandoned in a field in the Kern County desert community of Rosamond several weeks ago. Greenpeace workers were dressed in protective gear when they erected the 200-foot-long fence around the field to keep people out until the barrels can be removed, a spokeswoman for the group said. The group also posted a large sign at the location that read, “Warning: Cyanide Site Neglected by Your State Officials.” Greenpeace said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will begin an investigation this week to find out who dumped the barrels there. Greenpeace alleges that the state has known about the cyanide for more than a year but has made no plans to remove or dispose of it.