Not all environmentalists like DeChristopher's brand of activism

Weisheit's group, like SUWA, uses the "process" and hires attorneys to file protests, comments or lawsuits against decisions by regulatory agencies. Both routinely send out press releases to draw attention to their viewpoints or cause and stage press conferences to detail developments in the latest hot-button issue.

But as federal prosecutor John Huber has stressed repeatedly before the court, DeChristopher — who asserted he acted because he had no other choice — did none of that before he committed his crimes.

"His (DeChristopher's) spontaneous course of criminal conduct was neither necessary nor justified. Rather, it was self-centered and juvenile, and lacked the fortitude and diligence that would be characteristic of the very movement that he claimed to represent," Huber argued in a recent filing.

In fact, he stressed, DeChristopher "did not take the time to articulate reasoning in a filed formal protest within the BLM proceedings. He did not initiate or join a lawsuit to bring to light perceived impropriety in a court of law. Nor did he focus creativity and sacrifice as others did in freely voicing their opinions to the auction in a public forum."

Prior to his disruption of the BLM auction, some activists say they had not heard of DeChristopher, asserting he failed to launch any type of public forum regarding climate change to draw supporters to his cause.

The sudden burst of notoriety in activist circles is in direct contradiction to the approach of groups like HEAL Utah — an anti-nuclear organization — and particularly its former executive director, Vanessa Pierce.

Pierce, who has since left her post for Washington, D.C., was an adept wrangler of people, motivating dozens upon dozens of fresh and familiar faces to pack radioactive waste hearings to battle EnergySolutions.

Petite, female, non-Mormon and non-native to Utah, she took the reins of the organization from a towering male used to looking "down" on legislators when he reviled EnergySolutions and any influence they exercised over policymakers.

"I think it was to be expected that it could be disarming for people to deal with me," she said, describing her lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill "They didn't know what this young small thing was going to say ... especially against one of the most arguably entrenched interests in this state. My first years on the job were incredibly challenging for that reason."

HEAL Utah and EnergySolutions frequently engaged in dueling press conferences or media blitzes to counter each others' message — but beyond the rolling of eyes — the combatants kept it mostly civil.

"Mark Walker (EnergySolutions' spokesman) and I occasionally would talk," she said. "In a strange way I like him. ... He's a nice enough guy. I give him a hard time; same with him."

Anderson said he believes HEAL Utah is the example to look to when it comes to effective environmental activism  — not the fist-waving movement co-founded by DeChristopher.

"They have achieved amazing results by building up a large base of people who are willing to take on powerful interests, including legislators who benefit from those interests, and sustain their efforts over time, " Anderson said. "They have become a political force that legislators now realize they have to reckon with."

Steve Erickson, a longtime activist who has been the Utah point man leading the grassroots charge against a plan to tap an aquifer in Utah's west desert, said he admires DeChristopher for his dedication, but is less glowing when it comes to his methods.

"You have to admire someone who is willing to do that, but on the other hand, that is not the way I would have operated. That said, there are times for civil disobedience, but time and place is always a big consideration."

Anderson stressed he hopes DeChristopher doesn't spend "one day" in prison, but he worries about spreading the urgency of climate change through DeChristopher's methods, especially since surveys show each year, fewer and fewer people believe global warming is caused by man.