Judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to block logging project

HELENA — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to stop a logging project in the Kootenai National Forest in northwestern Montana.

The Alliance for the Wild Rockies had argued in its lawsuit filed in May 2015 that logging on more than 92,000 acres on the east side of Lake Koocanusa violates environmental laws and could harm bull trout, grizzly bear and lynx habitat.

U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen on Tuesday granted the U.S. Forest Service's request to dismiss the lawsuit.

Christensen says in his order that none of the environmental organization's claims warrants blocking the project.

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-seeking-to-block-logging-project/article_d8d02097-4c2b-5c40-a512-770ee39db02f.html