Feds Eye Central Idaho Forest Road Use Following Lawsuit

BOISE (AP) — Federal officials are reconsidering how roads and motorized trails in a portion of the Sawtooth National Forest could harm threatened bull trout following a lawsuit by an environmental group.

As a result, a federal judge on Wednesday put the lawsuit by WildEarth Guardians on hold until Feb. 14 while the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service analyze how motorized travel and climate change could harm critical habitat for bull trout.

The lawsuit filed Sept. 30 says that the Fish and Wildlife Service in 2010 designated 15 streams and their tributaries as critical habitat in the Fairfield Ranger District.

The lawsuit contends the federal agencies didn't consult to make sure motorized use in the forest doesn't harm bull trout following the critical habitat designation.