Military Surplus Tent Adventures: things you must look for while camping

June 2, 2018


In an article dated OCTOBER 4, 2017, BY KRIS MILLGATE entitled: "Illegal Marijuana Growing Operations Contaminate Public Forests"

It is reported that industrial-sized, illegal marijuana growing operations in California’s public forests are using a banned pesticide that kills more than bugs—it’s killing wildlife as well and can kill people.

The pesticide is Carbofuran a banned chemical being used to grow marijuana, and it has authorities concerned, according to CBS News.. It’s been found at up to 70 percent of the grow locations, and bears and other wildlife are turning up dead near the contaminated sites. This could prove disastrous to you or a family member during a camping trip.

“A mountain biker, a hiker, a child, could be hiking out here, find this and think it’s a full bottle of vitamin water,” says Dr. Mourad Gabriel, Integral Ecology Research Center field agent. “An eighth of a teaspoon would kill a 300-pound black bear.”

The light pink liquid has also been found in forests of Oregon and Washington. No one is sure how long it holds potency in soil and water. “The impact to wildlife and fisheries is a completely new frontier,” Gabriel says.

The article goes on to say that Illegal pot growers are also draining the country’s natural resources on forest land by siphoning large volumes of water. Farms with more than 15,000 plants use several plots across miles of land. Those plots are hydrated via a network of pipes coming out of natural water sources like rivers and springs.

According to Reuters, illegal growers can also leech chemicals into those waterways creating algae blooms and bacterial growth. “These places aren’t safe to go into,” says Jim Wood, California State Assembly Member.

What this means for you as a camper, hiker, prepper, or survivalist is that you have to add one more thing to your list of dangers, not only do you have to worry about illicit drug manufacturers taking offense to your presence, but now you must be concerned with the poison they might leave behind.

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