A radical anti-sprawl group, the Earth Liberation Front,

A radical anti-sprawl group, the Earth Liberation Front, has claimed responsibility for setting fire to three luxury homes under construction at the Island Estates Development on what was one of Long Island’s last remaining farms. Smoke and flame damage was estimated at $30,000 per house. No one was injured. Members of the group are also believed to have committed several acts of vandalism throughout the county, and the ELF has claimed responsibility for dozens of actions across the country since 1996, stating, “We are trying to cause the rich sprawl corporation enough money so they stop destroying the planet.” Many other environmentalists and community leaders have condemned the actions, although admitting there’s a need to publicize Long Island’s overdevelopment. The group Coalition to Save the Preserve has carried out similar actions in the Phoenix, Arizona, area, setting fire to as many as nine homes since December 2000.