Government says Avista illegally cut down trees on federal land

SPOKANE, Wash. - The federal government says Avista should have known better than to cut down trees in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area and wants the power company to pay nearly a million dollars in lieu of a trial.

The government filed a civil claim in federal court Thursday on behalf of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

The claim is in reference to what the government calls "unauthorized activities to stabilize and replace an unpermitted power pole."

The feds say Avista's activities damaged cultural resources and natural resources.

According to the claim, Avista's permit for the power pole expired in 1999.

Between 1999 and 2017, the feds say Avista did not apply for any new permits to work on, move or replace the pole.

"To stabilize, move and replace the power pole, [Avista] and/or its contractor used several motor vehicles off-road in Park areas not designated for off-road use," the claim says. "[Avista] and/or its contractor cut down trees, mechanically damaged trees and shrubs and removed, trimmed, and displaced other native vegetation in the Park."

The claim says the pole was located on the edge of a previously documented archaeological site and by moving and replacing the pole, it disturbed "numerous archaeological features and artifacts and the archaeological record at the site."

The claim says Avista didn't notify the National Park Service until after the work was complete.

The government says Avista's action also caused the loss 70 shrubs, 29 ponderosa pine trees and "many native grasses, forbs and herbaceous species."

In a separate filing, the federal government says it would resolve the claims if the court orders Avista to pay $900,000.

The case was just filed Thursday; Avista has not yet responded.

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