Sequoia weeds out marijuana damage

Weed whacking has taken on a whole new flavor at Sequoia National Park, as the park completes a monthlong project to restore natural conditions to 180 acres damaged by marijuana growers.

Marijuana growing in the park has increased dramatically. In 2001, 5,000 plants were discovered, and last year, 44,000 plants with an estimated street value of $170 million were found.

Crews last month removed more than 2 tons of garbage and eight miles of irrigation hose in two watersheds used by illegal growers, park spokeswoman Alexandra Picavet says.

Workers then used hand tools to return garbage pits, terraced plantation beds and areas leveled by growers to install showers, kitchens and other infrastructure to their natural contours.

To complete the project, workers covered the reworked soil with sticks and other natural debris.

— Scott Doggett