Sport Utility Vehicle Owners of America (SUVOA) yesterday called on Attorney General John Ashcroft and Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge to step up intelligence and federal enforcement action against The Earth Liberation Front (ELF), a militant environmental group that took responsibility for destroying vehicles at a Santa Fe, New Mexico Land Rover dealership, and US Forest Service construction equipment.

Says the SUVOA, “The President told the nation, 'We have the terrorists on the run. We're keeping them on the run. One by one, the terrorists are learning the meaning of American justice.' Unfortunately within our borders a roving band of eco- terrorists is indeed on the run -- to the next SUV dealership or owner that they have targeted for devastation.”

The ELF this week released a list claiming responsibility for 75 such acts around the country. To date, SUVs have been destroyed at dealerships in California, Texas and Virginia, in addition to the latest incident in New Mexico. On its web site, the group boasts of causing upwards of $55 million in damages for acts of terrorism.

The FBI, which considers the Earth Liberation Front as its No. 1 domestic terrorism priority, is offering up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the vandalism to the Santa Fe Land Rover dealership.