CHARGES AGAINST SCOPE DISMISSED.

Byline: Daily News

SANTA CLARITA - Trespassing and libel charges against a local environmental group were dropped Thursday, two days after the same charges were dropped by a builder against famed tree-sitter John Quigley.

A judge dismissed the charges against the Santa Clarita Organization for Planning the Environment. John Laing Homes Regional President Bill Rattazzi said the company respects the decision, but that the public will not have the opportunity to understand why the charges were filed.

``From our perspective, we respect the court's decision,'' he said. ``It's appropriate we move forward to get this tree moved to save it.''

John Laing Homes filed suit against Quigley and SCOPE after Quigley climbed into the oak in November 2002 to protest its destruction.

The developer claimed that SCOPE and Quigley had libeled the company and illegally trespassed onto the company's property.