Wildlife group puts down plan to wrap up islands

Environmentalists, angry over a plan by pop artist Christo to wrap 10 islands in Biscayne Bay in pink fabric, have decided to strike back. They plan to cover the Dade County Courthouse with flamingo-pink garbage bags. ''This project is the first environmental art protest plan to ever happen, '' said Jack Kassewitz Jr., head of the National Wildlife Rescue Team.

Christo has obtained permission to wrap 10 uninhabited islands in 5 million square feet of pink polypropylene fabric this spring. The artist plans to spend as much as $1 million on his ''Surrounded Islands'' project. Mr. Kassewitz says the project will harm island wildlife.