BEND, Ore. — The Oregon Hunters Association has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service, claiming its plan to build more than 130 miles (209 kilometers) of off-highway vehicle trails in the Ochoco National Forest could hurt elk habitat.
The Bend Bulletin reported last week that the association, which has more than 10,000 members, filed the lawsuit in the Pendleton Division of the United States District Court on Aug. 31. The association claims that the decision to approve the trails is not supported by scientific wildlife research and is in violation of the National Forest Management Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
Patrick Lair, a spokesman for the Ochoco National Forest, said the Forest Service will continue moving forward with planning the trail project.
