Both sides claim victory in logging lawsuit ruling

HELENA, Mont. — A judge's mixed ruling has both sides claiming victory in a proposed Montana logging project that has pitted conservation groups against each other.

U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy issued a ruling Wednesday ruling the U.S. Forest Service's Colt Summit Project near Seeley Lake passes muster except in one area: the agency did not adequately analyze the project's cumulative effects on lynx.

The Alliance for the Wild Rockies and three other groups are suing to stop the 2,038-acre project, saying it would harm lynx, bear and trout habitat. Alliance Executive Director Michael Garrity says the judge's ruling effectively halts the timber project.

Lolo National Forest Supervisor Debbie Austin says Molloy's brief ruling does not expressly block anything, and that both sides must wait for the full order to follow.