![\"\"](\"https:\/\/scwcshareholders.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/open-well-e1690871356225.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThese open wells are surrounded by the hazardous waste these illegal grows create.\u00a0 Used motor oil, diesel fuel, fertilizer and other chemicals (some illegal in California), and other waste are all lying abandoned near open well shafts.<\/p>\n
This is a real concern for Sheep Creek Water Company shareholders.\u00a0 Many of these grow sites are located in the El Mirage area, and the wells were drawing from and open to the El Mirage Basin.\u00a0 Currently, Sheep Creek Water Company’s water rights are only applicable in the canyon below Wrightwood, but a close reading of the original water right documentation shows the rights probably extend out to the El Mirage dry lake bed.\u00a0 We might have to litigate to have our access to the water through the El Mirage Basin, but nonetheless the possiblity exists that these wells could be damaging the aquifer where Sheep Creek Water Company holds water rights.<\/p>\n We have to hope the county gets this problem under control, figures out a better system for cleaning up the illegal grow sites, and also capping the open wells at these grow sites.\u00a0 We also need the county to stop providing permits for wells without proper due diligence, so we know that it isn’t an illegal cannabis grow digging wells and potentially poisoning our aquifer.\u00a0 If you are concerned about this, feel free to reach out to our local county representative, Supervistor Paul Cook<\/a> with your concerns…<\/p>\n Finally, here is a map showing the location of illegal grows and\u00a0 recently permitted wells in our area…<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n
\n(click the map or here<\/a> for a larger image)<\/p>\n