Several eco-terrorism cases that hit Snohomish County in recent years — most recently the release of thousands of minks at a farm in Sultan — have moved state Sen. Val Stevens, R- Arlington, to sponsor a bill that would target eco-terrorists.
"Terrorism is not acceptable," said Stevens, who represents the 39th Legislative District.
Stevens plans to introduce Senate Bill 6114 Thursday in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Stevens said the bill recognizes eco-terrorism as a type of organized crime and makes penalties more severe.
The bill says that, depending on the amount of damage, eco-terrorism can be a misdemeanor or a felony. A suspect convicted of the worst category could face up to 10 years in prison and/or $20,000 in fines.
The FBI defines eco-terrorism as the use or threatened use of violence against innocent victims or property by an environmentally oriented group for political reasons.
Snohomish County has had seven mink farm break-ins in seven years. In August, about 10,000 minks were released from a farm near Sultan. Some were run over by cars, while others attacked nearby domestic animals.
Jeff Weaver, whose farm is near the mink farm, said minks killed his chickens, ducks and geese, and wounded his dog, Copper.
"I am the one who took a big loss," Weaver said.
Eventually, about 90 percent of the minks were recovered.
"It goes beyond everyday crime. This is a conspiracy," Stevens said, because the activist organization the Animal Liberation Front claimed responsibility for the act.
The FBI has investigated the case, but no one has been arrested or prosecuted yet, said Robbie Burroughs at the FBI office in Seattle.
The county also has had other types of crime against farms, including an arson at an Arlington egg farm in 2001.
If passed, SB 6114 would be the first state bill specifically targeting eco-terrorism.
"I think it’s better than no legislation at all," Weaver said. "Right now, there is nothing. The bill could be effective."
In 2002, the Legislature passed House Bill 1938, which created exceptional penalties for certain kinds of criminal sabotage. The law may be applied to eco-terrorism cases, but unlike SB 6114, the House bill didn’t include the timber or fur industries.
Stevens said many people in her district believe legislation such as SB 6114 is needed to bring eco-terrorists to justice. "It’s not hard to find people who approve (of) it," she said.
Crimes with political motivation such as mink farm break-ins should be treated differently than regular crimes, said Teresa Platt, executive director of the California-based Fur Commission USA. "When you add the terrorism threat, it becomes more serious," Platt said.
Eco-terrorism is a growing national issue. Several states and the federal government have taken legislative action against it, Platt said, adding that she hopes SB 6114 passes.
Some opposition against the bill is expected in the Legislature.
Rachel Bjork, a coordinator of the Seattle-based Northwest Animal Rights Network, which is not affiliated with the Animal Liberation Front, said her group will lobby against the bill.
"Even though we are not intending to break the law, that type of legislation can be used to target us," she said.
Bjork said that unlike the Animal Liberation Front, her group focuses on legal actions and outreach programs to reduce animal suffering.
State Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, plans to introduce a similar eco-terrorism bill in the House, Stevens said.
Stevens said she is optimistic about SB 6114.
"It’s going to receive a lot of attention," she said. "It’s going to receive national attention."
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
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