Idaho officials seek to intervene in Forest Service lawsuit

Idaho officials have filed court documents to intervene in a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service brought by a northern Idaho couple and an environmental group.

The State Board of Land Commissioners and Idaho Department of Lands filed the 12-page document Tuesday in U.S. District Court.

Idaho officials contend the state has a substantial interest to intervene because the lawsuit seeks to block a road that’s the only access to a salvage timber project on state land.

Idaho officials say the wildfire-damaged trees will lose value and are prone to insect infestation. A timber sale auction is set for Friday.

Morgan and Olga Wright and Idaho Rivers United sued the Forest Service last month challenging the agency’s decision to designate a road as public for the logging project.