Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Protecting Lands Against Narcotics Trafficking Act of 2015” or the “PLANT Act”.
Protecting Lands Against Narcotics Trafficking Act of 2015
A BILL
To impose enhanced penalties for conduct relating to unlawful production of a controlled substance on Federal property or while intentionally trespassing on the property of another that causes environmental damage.
Sec. 2 Controlled Substances Act penalty amendments
Cultivating or manufacturing controlled substances on Federal property— Section 401(b)(5) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(b)(5)) is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “as provided in this subsection” and inserting “for not more than 10 years, in addition to any other term of imprisonment imposed under this subsection”.
Environmental harms and other hazards— Pursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission shall amend and review the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and policy statements to ensure that the guidelines provide for a penalty enhancement of not less than 1 offense level for a violation of section 401(a) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(a)) while on Federal property or while intentionally trespassing on the property of another if the offense—
creates a hazard to humans, wildlife, or domestic animals;
degrades or harms the environment or natural resources; or
pollutes an aquifer, spring, stream, river, or body of water.
Stream diversion or clear cutting on Federal property or while intentionally trespassing on the property of another—
Prohibition on stream diversion or clear cutting on Federal property or while intentionally trespassing on the property of another— Section 401(b) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(b)), as amended by subsection (a), is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(8) Destruction of bodies of water or timber
“(A) In general—Any person who violates subsection (a) in a manner that diverts, redirects, obstructs, or drains an aquifer, spring, stream, river, or body of water or clear cuts timber while cultivating or manufacturing a controlled substance on Federal property or while cultivating or manufacturing a controlled substance while intentionally trespassing on the property of another shall be fined an amount not to exceed—
“(i) the amount authorized in accordance with this section;
“(ii) the amount authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18, United States Code;
“(iii) $500,000 if the defendant is an individual; or
“(iv) $1,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual.
“(B) Use of amounts from fines
“(i) In general—The Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of the Interior, for use in accordance with clause (ii), the amounts received as fines for a violation described in subparagraph (A).
“(ii) Funds—The Secretary of the Interior shall use the amounts transferred under clause (i) to address the environmental damage caused by any offense described in subparagraph (A).”
Federal sentencing guidelines enhancement— Pursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission shall review and amend the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and policy statements to ensure that the guidelines provide for a penalty enhancement of not less than 1 offense level for a violation of section 401(a) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(a)) if the offense involves the diversion, redirection, obstruction, or draining of an aquifer, spring, stream, river, or body of water or the clear cut of timber while cultivating or manufacturing a controlled substance on Federal property or while cultivating or manufacturing a controlled substance while intentionally trespassing on the property of another.
Technical and conforming amendment— Section 1402(b)(1)(A) of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601(b)(1)(A)) is amended—
in clause (i), by striking “and” at the end; and
by inserting after clause (ii) the following:
“(iii) section 401(b)(8) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(b)(8)); and”
Booby traps on Federal property— Section 401(d)(1) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(d)(1)) is amended by inserting “cultivated,” after “is being”.
Use or Possession of Firearms in Connection With Drug Offenses on Federal property or while intentionally trespassing on the property of another— Pursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission shall review and amend the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and policy statements to ensure that the guidelines provide for a penalty enhancement of not less than 1 offense level for a violation of section 401(a) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(a)) if the offense involves the possession of a firearm while cultivating or manufacturing a controlled substance on Federal property or while cultivating or manufacturing a controlled substance while intentionally trespassing on the property of another.