Conservation Groups Sue to Block Logging and Prescribed Burns in Montana’s Gallatin Mountains
Federal Lawsuit Targets U.S. Forest Service Project Near Bozeman
Four conservation organizations have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to halt a logging and prescribed burning project covering more than 5,600 acres in the Gallatin Mountains south of Bozeman, Montana, claiming the U.S. Forest Service failed to complete required environmental review before moving forward with plans that could affect threatened and endangered species.
The groups — the Gallatin Wildlife Association, Alliance for The Wild Rockies, Native Ecosystems Council, and Council on Wildlife and Fish — argue in court documents that federal officials have overlooked or ignored several federal laws in order to fast-track the project, which spans land between Hyalite and South Cottonwood canyons. The project area includes Hyalite Canyon, described in the lawsuit as the most-visited area of any National Forest in Montana.
Attorneys for the conservation groups contend the project would involve cutting through old-growth forests, constructing new roads, and negatively impacting multiple threatened species, including Canada lynx, Northern goshawks, and whitebark pine trees. They argue that Forest Service officials have not disclosed the number, location, or status of whitebark pine trees throughout the affected area — information they say is critical for proper environmental assessment.
U.S. Forest Service staff have a policy of not commenting on pending litigation.
Lawsuit Alleges Endangered Species Act Violations and Lack of Transparency
The lawsuit claims Forest Service officials relied on an overly broad and legally unsupported definition of “wildland-urban interface” in order to exempt large areas of Canada lynx habitat from vegetation management standards that would otherwise prohibit projects degrading snowshoe hare habitat. Canada lynx, listed as “threatened” under federal law, depend on snowshoe hares as a primary food source.
Court documents state that planning records for the project do not identify specific structures, population density figures, groups of homes, shared utilities, or other municipal infrastructure within the project area — details that would normally be required to justify a wildland-urban interface classification under the Healthy Forests Reforestation Act.
“In addition, the Forest Service relies on an overbroad and legally unsupported delineation of the wildland urban interface to exempt large areas of lynx habitat standards that prohibit vegetation management projects that degrade snowshoe hare habitat,” the suit stated, according to reporting by the Daily Montanan.
Attorneys further claim the Forest Service used a different density standard than what is required under the Healthy Forests Reforestation Act to justify the logging and burning area as a wildland-urban interface zone — a classification that allows officials to more aggressively manage wildfire risks near structures.
The lawsuit also alleges the agency failed to issue a biological opinion on the project, a step attorneys say is standard procedure for similar projects. The conservation groups additionally argue the National Environmental Policy Act requires greater public involvement so that area residents can help shape the project’s outcome — a process they contend did not take place adequately here.
Of the 836 acres of old-growth forest within the project area, attorneys warn that 564 acres would no longer qualify as old-growth following completion of the planned logging activities. The suit also states that as many as 3,688 acres of Canada lynx habitat could be at risk from the project.
Notably, the Forest Service’s own planning documents acknowledged that “the project may affect, and is likely to adversely affect wildlife, habitat, and a tree species protected by the Endangered Species Act, including Canada lynx, Canada lynx critical habitat, grizzly bears and whitebark pine,” according to the lawsuit.
Environmental litigation over federal land management in the West has become increasingly common, with courts regularly serving as the arena where conservation groups challenge agency decisions on logging, grazing, and prescribed fire programs. Similar disputes have played out in Idaho, where lawsuits have alleged environmental violations tied to wastewater releases into Idaho rivers. For broader context on federal land and natural resources litigation across the region, Idaho News Network provides ongoing coverage at idahonews.co.
What Comes Next
The lawsuit has been filed in federal court, though a hearing date had not been publicly announced as of the time of reporting. The four conservation organizations are seeking a court order blocking the Forest Service from proceeding with any logging or burning activities in the affected Gallatin Mountains area until the agency completes the environmental and biological reviews the groups say are legally required. The Forest Service has not publicly responded to the specific allegations, citing its policy against commenting on active litigation. A federal judge will ultimately determine whether the project can move forward or must be paused pending further review.