Oregon State Police say troopers and Coos County sheriff's deputies have arrested three logging protesters perched high in two trees at a timber sale site in the Elliott State Forest northeast of Coos Bay.

Arrested Thursday for investigation of second-degree trespass were 23-year-old Grace W. Pettygrove of Eugene, 18-year-old Robert P. Oliver of Seattle and 26-year-old Emmalynn L. Garrett of Bandon. Pettygrove was alone on one aerial platform and Oliver and Garrett were on a second.

Cascadia Forest Defenders spokesman Jason Gonzales tells The Register-Guard the three are affiliated with his group. He says about two dozen protesters have blockaded roads and climbed trees to protest what they say amounts to a clear-cut at the Elkhorn Ranch timber sale site.

The Department of State Lands told the protesters it considers their actions illegal.

Gonzales says protesters believe the proposed logging is a threat to imperiled species including the marbled murrelet and northern spotted owl.

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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com