Judge says Forest Service violated FOIA in Wolf Creek plan

A federal court judge has ruled that the U.S. Forest Service unjustifiably withheld documents from environmentalists seeking information related to a proposed development in southwestern Colorado.

The Durango Herald reports the judge found that the Forest Service violated the Freedom of Information Act by failing to conduct an adequate search and limiting what was disclosed without proper explanation.

Environmental groups had requested information on the Village at Wolf Creek proposal, which they say would threaten wildlife in the area. Wednesday’s ruling marked a victory for Rocky Mountain Wild, the conservation group that filed the lawsuit.

The proposal would offer 177 acres of private land in the Rio Grande National Forest in exchange for 205 acres of federal land.

The Forest Service has until Oct. 30 to comply with the ruling.