Private Aircraft Landings in Idaho Wilderness Attract Lawsuit

The US Forest Service unlawfully allows private aircraft landings at several airstrips in the Frank Church—River of No Return Wilderness in central Idaho, conservation groups alleged Tuesday in a new federal complaint.

The number and frequency of private aircraft landings at four areas in the Big Creek drainage in the wilderness has exploded in recent years, disturbing wildlife and increasing human impact, Wilderness Watch and other environmental groups alleged in their complaint.

The regional forester adopted a policy of allowing the public to land at the landings without restriction in 2018. But the landings don’t meet the narrow criteria ...