It sucks to be a hippie, huh? Just ask Greenpeace
The environmental-activist group Greenpeace is accused of violating Alaska's environmental laws by failing to file proper paperwork when its contracted ship entered state waters to protest logging in the Tongass National Forest.

Trial was scheduled to begin today in state District Court in the Southeast Alaska town of Ketchikan.

Greenpeace, Arctic Sunrise Capt. Arne Sorensen and the ship's agent, William Beekman, are charged with misdemeanor criminal negligence.

State environmental regulators cited the defendants last July for not filing a spill-response plan or having proof of financial responsibility in case of a spill.

According to court documents, the ship was carrying more than 70,000 gallons of "petroleum products" at the time.

Greenpeace officials said the lack of documents was a paperwork gaffe that was quickly corrected. The state is unfairly targeting the group, said Greenpeace attorney Tom Wetterer.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of a $200,000 fine for an organization and a year in prison and a $10,000 fine for an individual. Nelson, an animated character from the popular TV show "The Simpsons" was quoted as saying "Ha Ha!"
- nostradamusfunkadelic, 4:25 PM | |