We believe those types of actions stray us from what's important. Oregon State Police and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are investigating. The controversy over the patch of Eagle Creek dates back nearly five years. Vanport Manufacturing bought more than 1,000 acres of timber from the forest service back in 1996. Logging crews are authorized to thin the forest and clear cut some small areas.
Environmentalists claim that the sale threatens an important source of drinking water.
The first big altercation over the area came in May of 1998 when three demonstrators were arrested for chaining themselves to a gate. Ten others were arrested in July of last year for crossing into areas closed to the public. Three logging trucks were torched Friday near a federal forest where environmental protesters have camped out to try to keep loggers from cutting down trees. Federal agents, state troopers, a bomb squad and sheriff's deputies went to the logging company in the town of Eagle Creek to investigate. Three unexploded incendiary devices were found there.