Growing Green

Growing Green for the Yuba

SYRCL’s vision is to inspire the community to engage in sustainable and ecologically sound cannabis cultivation in the Yuba River watershed.

Managing Ecological Impact

Our scientists and concerned community members recognize that the environmental impacts of illegal, large-scale cannabis cultivation are real. 

SYRCL wants to help growers understand how regulation can be a tool that allows agriculture to align with objectives that maintain water quality, and promote habitat for fish and wildlife.

In 2016, California took the positive step towards regulating cannabis cultivation with Proposition 64. Nevada County was the only county in the Yuba River watershed to regulate cannabis cultivation and protect our water resources.

In 2019 Nevada County adopted a Cannabis Cultivation ordinance to regulate the commercial cannabis industry. Since that time, SYRCL has advocated for environmentally protective language throughout the regulations, especially encouraging best management practices (BMPs).

SYRCL remains vigilant to the environmental impacts of illegal cannabis operations while striving to be an active participant in the regulatory process for legal cannabis cultivation operations.

As a community we can educate each other to ensure cannabis is grown in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way.

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Growing Green Resources

The most concerning impacts of illegal cannabis grows in the Yuba are:

Pollutants

The overuse of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, polluting the water and poisoning wildlife.

Water Diversion

Illegal water diversions that result in loss of late season stream flow and dry up creeks. The diversions also increase pollution and algae blooms in our streams and rivers.

“Trespass Grows”

Cultivating cannabis on public and forested lands causes deforestation and illegal land grading, damaging habitat for native fish and wildlife.

Growing Green