Booby-Trapped Rivers Pose Additional Threat ('An act of Eco-Terror' U.S. Forest Service)

KATU-TV (Oregon) ^ | March 17, 2005 | Grant McOmie

[Stoat]

March 17, 2005

Booby-Trapped Rivers Pose Additional Threat

VIDEO

By Grant McOmie

 
katu.com

PORTLAND, Ore. - Fishing guide Phil Hawkins rows fishermen down the Sandy River for a chance to catch a steelhead.

He says this winter the unusually low water has meant that he's kept a sharper eye on frothy rapids, exposed rocks and something new.

"I have to worry about packing the right rods, the right flies, the right equipment and food - but never, ever would I dream that I'd have to worry about spikes or nails in the river that would tear my boat up," says Hawkins.

Nails or spikes - several inches long - have been drilled or pounded into the river's rocks. In recent weeks, the nails have ripped open two rafts, including Josh Linn's 16-foot pontoon raft.

Josh pointed to the 30-inch tear: "That's where the nail went in all the way. It's a huge gash and it was a scary moment."

Linn was floating through a dangerous rapid when the nail tore up his boat. But he was lucky and made it to shore where he was able to patch and repair his raft.

He and Hawkins say the incidents happened near popular Dodge Park. Hawkins pointed to a partially submerged rock: "See the three silvery, shiny looking things right there - those are all nails."

The nails were visible just under the water's surface. They were hammered into the rock and Hawkins said he thinks it was intentional and it could have killed someone.

"It could be a real dangerous situation," added Hawkins. "There's a lot of current here and the river is cold and the current is relentless. If you lose your boat, it could all be over."

Hawkins used a hammer and bent the sharp nails over so the rock wouldn't pose a dangerous risk. Now, he and other guides float the river to look for more rocks that are sporting nails or spikes.

We float past one huge rock in the middle of the river that looked suspicious with two thin and sharp spikes that looked like nails. If the water was higher, you'd never see the danger coming and you'd end up in bog trouble.

For longtime river rafters Judy Steigler and Vall Schaull, the most worrisome problem will hit this summer. That's when kids come to the Sandy River to float on inner tubes or small inflatable rafts. They might not see the problem until it's too late.

"In the summertime children play near Dodge Park." said Stiegler. "If some child goes out of their inner tube, goes through there and catches on a nail they could be seriously hurt."

Schaull added: "I'm worried about this - if it starts here, it could migrate to other rivers."

There are no clues to this crime, but Hawkins hopes they can find all of the nails planted in the rocks before the summer floating season starts.

But he admits the river is huge and they might not find all the unseen dangers before another boat goes down.

[Stoat]

The Forest Service statement about this being an act of Eco-Terror comes from the video, not from the printed KATU-TV story.

I suppose, then, that these are acts perpetrated by some militant eco-group. Do they hope to scare people away from floating down the river? Does floating down a river in a rubber boat cause ecological damage of some sort?

Hopefully, whoever is perpetrating these acts will be caught soon and made an example of before 'copycat' spikings are done elsewhere. Any river that's used by the recreational public is now at risk.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I think they are [yaa-aah!] fighting for fish rights. The Fish Fighters. Something's 'fishy' at any rate.

[Nuzcruizer]

These lunatic eco-terrorists need to be shot on site when caught doing idiotic acts of terrorism like this.

At the very least, life in prison with NO chance of parole. This is terrorism, no different than the terrorism done by Muhammadans. The Feds need to shut down these groups like Peta, label them terrorist organizations, seize their assets and make it illegal to raize money or be associated with them.

[Stoat]

You will get no arguments from me. As is stated in the video, these spikes could easily cause someone's death.

Hopefully, since the U.S. Forest Service has labeled this as eco-terror, perhaps this will now automatically come under the purview of the FBI or Homeland Security.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

"This is terrorism, no different than the terrorism done by Muhammadans."

I'm not sure that it would be wise to re-position satellites to catch them, however. If they keep it up, a little basic technology could do the trick, along with police work. But scaring the living daylights out of them regarding 'terrorism' is a good idea.

Whoever did this most likely has limited brain capacity. A neanderthal could have laid out traps like that.

[Nuzcruizer]

These lunatics aren't "protecting" nature or fish in any way, as if fish need 'protection' in the first place. Rafting is environmentally friendly. What about a grizzly bear and her cubs who come to do a little fishing themselves on these rivers and step on one of these spikes, driving it through their paw? They would die a slow death from infection, and probably turn to easier prey in their wounded condition. Ironically, it would probably be an eco-terrorist sneaking around the bush.

[Route101]

Consider this a threat you Eco-terrorists a-holes!...I find out who you are and you can kiss your sweet radical Lenin/Stalin whatever butts goodbye!...You screw with one of our last few pastimes to relax and we will find you. Could it be this scum comes from Eugene...(Moscow on the Willamette)?

[Stoat]

Very true, and hopefully your scenario regarding the forced-demise of an enviro-wacko will come to pass, although hopefully without any harm being done to Momma Bear.

I remain baffled as to the purpose of this....it obviously requires quite a bit of trouble to install these spikes. The video showed some of the spikes in rocks which appeared to be at least a couple of feet underwater, and I suppose it could have been done at a time of low water, perhaps by one or two people in hip waders.

But why? Just to create random panic I suppose....absolutely sick and I hope that Momma Bear sneaks up behind one of these enviro-wackos and makes a snack of him.

[yer gonna put yer eye out]

" Does floating down a river in a rubber boat cause ecological damage of some sort?"...

I'm beginning to think these eco-heros are just against people having a good time in "their" wilderness settings.

It's kind of like the bumper sticker I saw a couple of years ago on a Florida car.
It said..."Leaving Florida?...take someone with you"..

Selfish, mentally inbred people live everywhere I guess.

[Route101]

These nut bars have migrated from all over the country to the northwest....If they see anyone enjoying themselves in their temples of worship (the great unspoiled outdoors)...they consider it being raped and must defend themselves....I know how they think....

[gridlock]

I guess we're supposed to protect nature, but we're not actually allowed to go out and see nature. We just have to keep nature off to the side, and feel good knowing that it is there and our environmental betters are out there battling to take care of it for us...

This is very self-defeating behavior on the part of the enviro-weenies. The people on the river are probably, as a group, much more likely to support preservation of the environment. If folks get scared away from the outback, they are not going to care a whole lot if the outback gets strip-mined. When I see a tree, I am filled with the delight of nature. If I never see a tree, all I care about is the price of 2x4s down at Home Depot.

[gridlock]

These nut bars have migrated from all over the country to the northwest....

How much you wanna bet these particular nut bars are from California?

[Route101]

Entirely possible...The whole west coast is infected....

[R. Scott]

Do they hope to scare people away from floating down the river?

The only people the eco-terrorists want on the river – or in the woods, or on the tundra or ____ are other eco-terrorists.

[skimask]

I think PETA is already labeled as a "Terrorist" organization

[Rebelbase]

I doubt it's "eco-terrorists". Instead is most likely a feud of sorts. On some of the busier rivers there is enmity on the kayaker's side against rafters.

The kayakers like to hang out on certain rapids and surf their boats in the holes. When a raft comes along the kayaks have to move out of the way or they get run over.

I know of one case where a kayaker took out his survival knife and slashed a raft after it pinned him against a rock.

[Nuzcruizer]

I doubt it would be Kayakers placing spikes. Those things would be just as dangerous for them.

[Route101]

California, Oregon and Washington....home of many whacko leftists....but home of many who would fight them....

[Rebelbase]

Competent kayakers don't hit many rocks, if any at all, and they don't pile onto them the way rafts do.

[Freebird Forever]

These lunatic eco-terrorists need to be shot on site when caught doing idiotic acts of terrorism like this.

As should the NGOs who fund them. These financiers are cut from the same clothe as are those who channel support to Al Qaida.

They are the enemy of honest, law abiding Americans and should be treated as such.

At the very least RICO should be used to investigate & prosecute all those deserving.