CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsCourt approves $1.75 million settlement for cannabis cultivator’s environmental violationshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/court-approves-175-million-settlement-for-cannabis-cultivators-environmental-violationsCannabisTue, 23 Jan 2024 11:47:30 GMTA Humboldt County Superior Court judge approved a settlement that requires a cannabis cultivator to pay $1.75 million for building and diverting water from illegal onstream reservoirs without first obtaining required permits.<p><em>Cultivator must remove unauthorized reservoirs, restore environment</em></p> <p>SACRAMENTO – A Humboldt County Superior Court judge approved a settlement that requires a cannabis cultivator to pay $1.75 million for building and diverting water from illegal onstream reservoirs without first obtaining permits required by the California Water Boards and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).</p> <p>The settlement, which was reached after a lengthy investigation, resolves violations by Joshua Sweet and his companies, The Hills LLC and Shadow Light Ranch LLC, that include: the owner’s destruction of wetland habitat and stream channels; conversion of oak woodland to grow cannabis; and failure to work with the State Water Resources Control Board, North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board and CDFW to satisfy permitting requirements.</p> <p>If Sweet completes restoration of the damaged property by 2026, $1 million of the penalty will be suspended. This work includes the removal of three unauthorized reservoirs and the rehabilitation of stream channels and damaged wetlands.</p> <p>“It is critical for all cannabis cultivators to be environmentally responsible and protect California’s water supply and water quality,” said Taro Murano, program manager for the State Water Board’s Division of Water Rights cannabis enforcement section. “Sweet chose to operate his business while ignoring regulations designed to protect the environment. He must now remediate the environmental damage he caused and pay a significant penalty. No one should get a business advantage by ignoring the law and harming the environment.”</p> <p>“This case represents years of hard work by dedicated staff to remediate damage to streambed channels, wetland habitat and oak woodlands,” said Nathaniel Arnold, acting chief of law enforcement for CDFW. “The settlement also speaks volumes to the egregious nature of this case and should send a strong message to those working outside of state regulations to cultivate cannabis. Our natural resources deserve to be respected.”</p> <p>According to the settlement, Sweet must pay $500,000 to the Division of Water Rights, $175,000 to the North Coast Water Board, and $75,000 to CDFW over five years. Additionally, he is required to obtain all the necessary permits, cease unauthorized water diversions and use of water, restrict future property development and comply with all applicable regulations.</p> <p>More information on cannabis enforcement is available on the <a href="https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/enforcement/cannabis_enforcement.html">State Water Board</a> and <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Cannabis">CDFW websites</a>.</p> <p><em>The State Water Board’s mission is to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water allocation for present and future generations.</em></p> <p><em>CDFW's mission is to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and their use and enjoyment by the public.</em></p> <p><em>The North Coast region stretches from the Oregon border to Marin County and is characterized by remote wilderness and towering redwoods. The area accounts for 12% of the state’s land area and 35% of its freshwater runoff. Timber harvesting, agriculture, recreation and tourism are mainstays of the local economy.</em></p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Ailene.Voisin@Waterboards.ca.gov">Ailene Voisin</a>, State Water Board<br /> <a href="mailto:janice.mackey@wildlife.ca.gov">Janice Mackey</a>, CDFW</em></p> California seizes over $312M in unlicensed cannabis during task force’s first calendar year of operationhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-seizes-over-312m-in-unlicensed-cannabis-during-task-forces-first-calendar-year-of-operationLaw EnforcementTue, 16 Jan 2024 11:51:36 GMTThe Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce seized more than $312 million in unlicensed cannabis during its first calendar year of operation.<p><em>UCETF has seized over $317M of illegal cannabis and 128 firearms since its inception</em></p> <p>CALIFORNIA – Continuing to protect public safety, safeguard natural resources, and advance the integrity of the licensed cannabis market, the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) seized more than $312 million in unlicensed cannabis during its first calendar year of operation.</p> <p>Among the highlights from the operations in 2023 was the seizure of almost 190,000 pounds of illegal cannabis, the eradication of almost 318,000 plants and the seizure of 119 illegally-possessed firearms.</p> <p>“California is effectively decreasing the illegal cannabis market by leveraging the strengths and knowledge of over 20 state agencies and departments alongside our local and federal partners. The UCETF’s progress in 2023 reflects California’s ongoing commitment to disrupting and dismantling illegal cannabis activity,” stated Director Nicole Elliott of Department of Cannabis Control. “I look forward to working with all our partners in 2024 to build on this progress.”</p> <p>“Since its inception in late 2022, California’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce has hit the ground running with year-round operations that spanned from the Oregon state line all the way down to San Diego,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “We’ve sent a strong message that illegal operations that harm our natural resources, threaten the safety of workers, and put consumer health at risk have no place in California. While there is more work to be done, we made progress last year and I look forward to going further alongside our county, state, and federal partners.”</p> <p>The results of UCETF’s FY 2023 and Q4 2023 enforcement actions are:</p> <table class="table table-default"> <thead> <tr> <th>UCETF Operations</th> <th>Q4 2023</th> <th>CY 2023</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Search Warrants Served</td> <td>24</td> <td>188</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Pounds of Cannabis Seized</td> <td>13,393.65</td> <td>189,854.02</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Retail Value of Cannabis Products Seized</td> <td>$22,294,571.41</td> <td>$312,880,014.35</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Cannabis Plants Eradicated</td> <td>20,320</td> <td>317,834</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Firearms Seized</td> <td>26</td> <td>119</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Money Seized</td> <td>$35,195.25</td> <td>$223,809</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>In addition to releasing the Q4 and yearly totals for 2023, the taskforce announced the top 5 counties for enforcement activity (according to value of cannabis seized) in calendar year 2023. They are:</p> <table class="table table-default"> <thead> <tr> <th>County</th> <th>Value of Cannabis Seized</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Alameda</td> <td>$77,828,338.50</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Siskiyou</td> <td>$70,747,875.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mendocino</td> <td>$48,073,113.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Los Angeles</td> <td>$28,317,139.69</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Kern</td> <td>$21,578,438.25</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Since inception, UCETF has seized $317,578,792.29 in unlicensed cannabis through 218 search warrants. The taskforce has also eradicated 347,321 plants and seized 128 firearms.</p> <p>Created by Governor Newsom in 2022, the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce has been charged by the Governor to further align state efforts and increase cannabis enforcement coordination between state, local and federal partners. UCETF’s enforcement actions protect consumer and public safety, safeguard the environment, and deprive illegal cannabis operators and transnational criminal organizations of illicit revenue that harms consumers and undercuts the regulated cannabis market in California.</p> <p>The taskforce is co-chaired by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and coordinated by the Homeland Security Division of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). The taskforce includes more than two dozen local, state, and federal partners working together to disrupt the illegal cannabis market.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:David.Hafner@cannabis.ca.gov">David Hafner</a>, DCC Communications, <a href="mailto:press@cannabis.ca.gov">press@cannabis.ca.gov</a><br /> <a href="mailto:janice.mackey@wildlife.ca.gov">Janice Mackey</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 207-7891</em></p> Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce strategically disrupted illegal market by seizing over $101M worth of unlicensed cannabis products, seized 363% more firearms in Q3 2023https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/unified-cannabis-enforcement-taskforce-strategically-disrupted-illegal-market-by-seizing-over-101m-worth-of-unlicensed-cannabis-products-seized-363-more-fiLaw EnforcementThu, 05 Oct 2023 15:03:35 GMTThe Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce seized more than $101 million in illegal cannabis during the third quarter of 2023.<p><em>Focusing on larger targets, the taskforce achieved similar results from previous quarter through serving 35 percent fewer search warrants</em></p> <p>CALIFORNIA – Continuing to protect public safety, safeguard natural resources, and advance the integrity of the legal cannabis market, the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) seized more than $101 million in illegal cannabis during the third quarter of 2023. During enforcement operations, UCETF seized 69 crime-linked firearms — a 363% increase compared to the previous quarter.</p> <p>Among the highlights from the last quarter were seizures of almost 100,000 cannabis plants and over 61,000 pounds of illegal cannabis. These numbers were accomplished despite serving 35 percent less search warrants in the quarter.</p> <p>“For the last three months UCETF has been focused on larger, outdoor cannabis operations that posed a significant threat to the environment and public safety” stated Bill Jones, Chief of the Law Enforcement Division for DCC. “Many of these illegal cannabis operations are linked to organized crime, and in addition to threatening the environment and communities, the products these operations pose a direct threat to consumer health and the stability of the legal cannabis market.”</p> <p>The results of UCETF’s Q3 2023 enforcement actions are listed below:</p> <table class="table table-default"> <thead> <tr> <th>UCETF Operations</th> <th>Q3 2023</th> <th>Q2 2023</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Search Warrants Served</td> <td>60</td> <td>92</td> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Pounds of Cannabis Seized</td> <td>61,415.75</td> <td>66,315.01</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Retail Value of Cannabis Products Seized</td> <td>$101,349,657</td> <td>$109,277,688.94</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Cannabis Plants Eradicated</td> <td>98,054</td> <td>120,970</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Firearms Seized</td> <td>69</td> <td>19</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Money Seized</td> <td>$0</td> <td>$223,809</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>“Over the past quarter, UCTEF conducted several highly coordinated operations that will disrupt the illegal supply chain and improve consumer and public safety. The task force focused on rural areas where illegal cultivators have been conducting unlicensed operations,” said Nathaniel Arnold, Acting Chief of Enforcement for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “These enforcement numbers represent the hard work and commitment from our multiagency teams. I applaud our officers and partner agencies who worked tirelessly to identify these clandestine operations and provide a good measure of public and consumer safety.”</p> <p>Since inception, UCETF has seized $295,284,220.94 in unlicensed cannabis through the serving of 203 search warrants. The taskforce has also eradicated 277,314 plants and seized 101 firearms.</p> <p>Created in 2022, the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce has been charged by the Governor to better align state efforts and increase cannabis enforcement coordination between state, local and federal partners. UCETF’s enforcement actions protect consumer and public safety, safeguard the environment, and deprive illegal cannabis operators and transnational criminal organizations of illicit revenue that harms consumers and undercuts the regulated cannabis market in California.</p> <p>The taskforce is co-chaired by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and coordinated by the Homeland Security Division of Cal OES. The taskforce includes more than two dozen local, state, and federal partners working together to disrupt the illegal cannabis market.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> Department of Cannabis Control Communications, <a href="mailto:press@cannabis.ca.gov">press@cannabis.ca.gov</a><br /> <a href="mailto:janice.mackey@wildlife.ca.gov">Janice Mackey</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 207-7891</em></p> CDFW’s Cannabis Enforcement Program Targets Illegal Operations on Public and Private Landshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfws-cannabis-enforcement-program-targets-illegal-operations-on-public-and-private-landsLaw EnforcementWed, 27 Sep 2023 15:45:25 GMTCannabis enforcement actions provide consumer and public safety.<p>Wildlife officers with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) spearheaded several enforcement investigations in August and September.</p> <p>From Sept. 4-8, MET officers targeted several illegal cannabis operations on rural private lands in Shasta, Tehama and Sutter counties. Officers received a tip from a hunter who stumbled on one of the trespass grow sites and reported it. As a result, MET officers eradicated more than 5,500 illegal plants, arrested four suspects, seized several firearms including one stolen handgun, dismantled several water diversions and removed thousands of pounds of trash. Support was provided from CDFW’s Air Services and K9 Units, as well as the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Eradication and Prevention of Illicit Cannabis (EPIC) task force.</p> <p>“Many recreationists who venture into California’s backcountry are our best eyes and ears for reporting poaching, pollution and illegal cannabis cultivation on public land,” said Nathaniel Arnold, Acting Chief of Enforcement for CDFW. “These enforcement actions not only provide public and consumer safety, but they also combat the illegal cannabis supply chain. I could not be more proud of these dedicated officers.”</p> <p>With information received through CDFW’s confidential <a href="/Enforcement/CalTIP">CALTIP program</a>, MET officers conducted an operation on CDFW property at the Putah Creek Wildlife Area in Solano County on Aug. 24. With assistance from CDFW’s Air Services Unit and Unpiloted Aircraft System (drones), officers eradicated 809 illegal cannabis plants, airlifted 1,140 pounds of trash from the area, dismantled an illegal water diversion, seized one loaded assault rifle, and removed an assortment of chemicals and fertilizers found near a tributary. Support was provided by the Solano County Sheriff’s Office.</p> <p>On Aug. 9-11, MET officers conducted operations on U.S. Forest Service land in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. During the week, officers dismantled multiple illegal water diversions, seized multiple containers of restricted pesticides and documented dozens of environmental crimes. Officers also eradicated 5,967 cannabis plants, destroyed over 157 pounds of processed cannabis, and removed 1,970 pounds of trash, 300 pounds of fertilizer and 1,780 feet of irrigation pipe. Five suspects were arrested, one was armed with a handgun and one was armed with an assault rifle. Assistance was provided by the DOJ’s EPIC task force.</p> <p>Developed in 2013, MET was CDFW’s first statewide special operations law enforcement team with the primary duty to protect public safety and California’s natural resources, particularly those threatened by environmental crimes associated with illegal cannabis cultivation on public lands.</p> <p>CALTIP is a confidential secret witness program that encourages the public to provide CDFW with information leading to the arrest of poachers and polluters. If you have information about such a violation, call (888) 334-CALTIP (888 334-2258), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.</p> <p>Learn more about <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=184717&inline" target="_blank">illegal cannabis grows on public land (PDF)</a>.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:janice.mackey@wildlife.ca.gov">Janice Mackey</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 207-7891</em></p> CDFW’s Cannabis Program Holding Two Online Workshops to Review LSA Agreements and Documentation Requirementshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfws-cannabis-program-holding-two-online-workshops-to-review-lsa-agreements-and-documentation-requirementsCannabisTue, 05 Sep 2023 10:13:22 GMTCDFW is hosting two online workshops to review how licensed cultivators can stay up to date with their Lake or Streambed Alteration (LSA) agreement.<p><em>Cultivators, Consultants and Other Interested Parties Encouraged to Attend</em></p> <p><strong>Who:</strong> The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Cannabis Program</p> <p><strong>What:</strong> CDFW is hosting two online workshops to review how licensed cultivators can stay up to date with their Lake or Streambed Alteration (LSA) agreement and what to do when it is expired or when the project authorized by the agreement is complete.</p> <p>The workshops will begin with a short presentation and conclude with a question and answer session. Participation in both workshops is not necessary, as the information shared during each will be identical. The workshop will also be recorded and posted online afterward. Prior registration is not required.</p> <p><strong>When and How:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Wednesday, Sept. 13, 10-11 a.m.</em></strong><br /> Join the workshop: <a href="https://wildlife-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/81829914438" target="_blank">https://wildlife-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/81829914438</a>.<br /> To join by telephone, dial 1-888-363-4734 (conference code: 506989).</li> <li><strong><em>Thursday, Sept. 28, 1-2 p.m.</em></strong><br /> Join the workshop: <a href="https://wildlife-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/82078196507" target="_blank">https://wildlife-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/82078196507</a>.<br /> To join by telephone, dial 1-888-363-4734 (conference code: 506989).</li> </ul> <p><strong>Why:</strong> The workshops are geared toward cannabis cultivators with an active provisional or annual license from the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) who also have an LSA agreement with CDFW. Understanding the requirements and next steps with an LSA agreement or project will keep cannabis operations in compliance with state laws. For those seeking to acquire a cultivation license from the DCC, please see our past workshops for how to obtain an LSA agreement or written verification an agreement is not needed: <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Cannabis/Permitting#535421196-workshops--webinars">Cannabis Cultivation Permitting Workshops</a>. To submit questions in advance of the workshop, email <a href="mailto:askcannabis@wildlife.ca.gov?subject=Workshop%20Question">askcannabis@wildlife.ca.gov</a> with “Workshop Question” and the chosen workshop date in the subject line. Questions may also be asked during the workshop via the Zoom platform.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong></em><br /> <a href="mailto:Janice.ackey@wildlife.ca.gov">Janice Mackey</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 207-7891</p>