BOISE, Idaho (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 12-page 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.

A timber sale auction is set for Friday. Morgan and Olga Wright and Idaho Rivers United sued the Forest Service last month challenging the agency's decision to designate a road as public for the logging project.

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