American Notes MONTANA

While the rest of the world celebrated Earth Day, the followers of Elizabeth Clare Prophet (a.k.a. Guru Ma) in Montana's Paradise Valley were cleaning up their own environmental mess. Thousands of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel have leaked out of underground tanks built by Prophet's Church Universal and Triumphant in preparation for Armageddon.

Cleanup workers have already carted away 1,000 cu. yds. of contaminated soil. Last week a judicial restraining order prohibited the church from building new shelters or occupying existing ones. Said church spokesman Murray Steinman: "Protection of the environment is our No. 1 priority."