ILLEGAL MARIJUANA POINTS TO PARK FUNDING

Illegal marijuana cultivation is yet another problem in our national
parks that is exacerbated by a chronic lack of funding ("Drug agents
can't keep up with pot growers," News, Cover story, Oct. 13).

According to the National Parks Conservation Association's "Faded
Glory" report, rangers confront illegal drug harvesting and/or
trafficking at Sequoia National Park and Whiskeytown National
Recreation Area in California; Organ Pipe Cactus and Coronado
national monuments in Arizona; and Amistad National Recreation Area
and Padre Island National Seashore in Texas, among other park sites nationwide.

Until Congress and the administration address the parks' critical
funding needs, the safety of rangers and visitors, and the
preservation of our heritage, will remain at risk.

Ron Tipton, senior vice president.

National Parks Conservation Association, Washington