Senate passes eco-terror bill
AP June 3, 2003

Salem AP--A measure aimed at cracking down on radical environmentalists who sabotage farms, timber operations and research facilities won approval Monday in the Oregon Senate.

The bill passed 23-6 after its chief sponsor, Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, said environmental vandalism resulted in $50 million in damage in Oregon over the past decade.  He cited incidents such as the firebombing of a car dealership, the torching of a timber company's office and the destruction of agricultural research projects, including ones involving genetically engineered trees  Ferrioli said the bill defines ecosabotage as crimes committed "to further environmental objectives."

In theory, he said, that could include the farmers in southern Oregon's Klamath Basin who in 2001`cracked open government-controlled head gates that blocked the flow of water to their parched fields.  "If you take the law into your own hands, you are subject to prosecution under this act,"  Ferrioli said.