Environment - Offenses Involving the Environment

3. Departure Provisions.—

(A) Downward Departure Provision.—The base offense level in subsection (a)(1) reflects that offenses covered by that subsection typically pose a risk of death or serious bodily injury to one or more victims, or cause, or are intended to cause, bodily injury. In the unusual case in which such an offense did not cause a risk of death or serious bodily injury, and neither caused nor was intended to cause bodily injury, a downward departure may be warranted.

(B) Upward Departure Provisions.—If the offense caused extreme psychological injury, or caused substantial property damage or monetary loss, an upward departure may be warranted.

If the offense was calculated to influence or affect the conduct of government by intimidation or coercion, or to retaliate against government conduct, an upward departure would be warranted. See Application Note 4 of §3A1.4 (Terrorism).

Historical Note:: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 206); November 1, 2003 (see Appendix C, amendment 655).

§2Q1.5. [Deleted]

Historical Note:: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 207), was deleted by consolidation with §2Q1.4 effective November 1, 2003 (see Appendix C, amendment 655).

§2Q1.6. Hazardous or Injurious Devices on Federal Lands

(a) Base Offense Level (Apply the greatest):

(1) If the intent was to violate the Controlled Substance Act, apply §2D1.9 (Placing or Maintaining Dangerous Devices on Federal Property to Protect the Unlawful Production of Controlled Substances; Attempt or Conspiracy);

(2) If the intent was to obstruct the harvesting of timber, and property destruction resulted, apply §2B1.1 (Theft, Property Destruction, and Fraud);

(3) If the offense involved reckless disregard to the risk that another person would be placed in danger of death or serious bodily injury under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to such risk, the offense level from §2A2.2 (Aggravated Assault); or

(4) 6, otherwise.

Commentary

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Last reviewed October 2023