Idaho officials intervene in Forest Service lawsuit

BOISE (AP) - 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 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.

The Department of Lands also on Tuesday announced the previously canceled timber sale for the area has been rescheduled for Friday in Kamiah.

Laird Lucas, an attorney at Advocates for the West who is representing Idaho Rivers United, said Wednesday that he's preparing paperwork seeking an injunction to prevent the use of the road until the federal court rules on the initial lawsuit.