Editing Emerald Triangle (section)

==Environmental concerns==

There is an environmental impact from outdoor cannabis production in the Emerald Triangle, which is largely unregulated. These effects include illegal damming, diversion and taking of water from streams (especially during summer), and also [[pesticide]]-laden runoff into streams, all of which may degrade critical salmon [[fisheries]].<ref>{{citation|title=Pot raids uncover "egregious" environmental damage in Emerald Triangle|newspaper=[[The Press Democrat]]|location=Santa Rosa, California|date=June 26, 2015|author=Glenda Anderson|url=http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/4117382-181/pot-raids-uncover-egregious-environmental?gallery=4133794}}</ref><ref>{{citation|publisher=Associated Press|via=Spokesman-Review|title=Biologists: Marijuana industry a threat to salmon|date=October 1, 2014|author=Jeff Barnard|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/oct/01/biologists-marijuana-industry-a-threat-to-salmon/}}</ref> [[Clearcutting]] and roadbuilding for the cannabis plantations can also degrade the environment and endanger salmon.<ref>{{citation|date=July 31, 2015|title=Black-Market Marijuana Farming Is Far From Green|work=[[Science Friday]]|url=http://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/black-market-marijuana-farming-is-far-from-green/}}</ref> The grows often occur illegally on [[Public land#United States|public land]].<ref>{{citation|title=The Landscape-Scarring, Energy-Sucking, Wildlife-Killing Reality of Pot Farming: This is your wilderness on drugs|author=Josh Harkinson |work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]|date=March–April 2014 |url=https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/03/marijuana-weed-pot-farming-environmental-impacts}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Allure of legal weed is fueling land rush in Emerald Triangle|author=Peter Fimrite|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|date=May 27, 2016|url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/science/article/Allure-of-legal-weed-is-fueling-land-rush-in-7948587.php|quote=Environmental damage from pot farming has been a major problem for decades. Drug traffickers growing illegally, often on public land, use pesticides and fertilizers that have poisoned wildlife, including endangered spotted owls and Pacific fishers. Growers have clear-cut trees, removed native vegetation, diverted streams, [and] caused erosion}}</ref>