The Gallatin Wildlife Association, Alliance for The Wild Rockies, Native Ecosystems Council, and Council on Wildlife and Fish claim in a new federal lawsuit the United States Forest Service could be logging and using prescribed burns in Montana’s best-known recreational areas without presenting required research that would demonstrate the project isn’t negatively impacting threatened or endangered species. Their attorneys say logging and burning on more than 5,600 acres between Hyalite and South Cottonwood canyons, south of Bozeman in the Gallatin Mountains would mean cutting through old-growth forests, building new roads and negatively impact threatened species ranging from Canada lynx to Northern goshawks to whitebark pine trees. It claims U.S. Forest Service officials have overlooked or ignored a handful of federal laws to fast-track the project which the groups say will be highly visible to recreational enthusiasts. U.S. Forest Service staff have a policy of not commenting on any pending litigation.