Opinion ID: 1200243
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The trial court properly excluded evidence of the Environmental Impact Statement and biological testimony.

Text: The trial court initially denied admission of the EIS noting that the ultimate issue in the case was whether property had been damaged and finding that the EIS and biologists' testimony would unnecessarily complicate and prolong the case. However, the trial court made it clear at the time of that ruling that the appellants were free to bring into evidence the reasons and beliefs behind their actions. The trial court stated: My only hesitation here is that it would appear to me, and I don't need to make a ruling on it now so I won't, it appears to me that someone's state of mind is always an important thing when it comes to talking about punitive damages. And even though I'm not going to let someone come in here and say why the Forest Service should have entered into negotiations with the National Marine Fisheries Service or that ... I'm not going to permit that to happen. But I'm saying that perhaps it is relevant that a person was digging holes in the road because they wanted to protect the salmon and that they didn't have an evil motive; they had a pure heart and that's why they did that. And I think they could probably do that without having a biologist from the Nez Perce Tribe come in here and talk about fish.... The important thing is what was in their state of mind and whether or not they had a good heart or bad heart, so I'm not saying they can't get up and talk about it; I'm just saying what they can do throughI believe it would be inappropriate to talk about this Environmental Impact Statement. The trial court reiterated such reasoning in denying the motion for a new trial stating that evidence as to the legality of the EIS and its implications is not relevant to whether the defendants were acting with improper motives or using improper means, even if their beliefs were justified. We hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying admission of the EIS and the testimony of biologists. Testimony regarding the EIS and the EIS itself would have been very confusing, not only in its subject matter, but confusing as to the ultimate issues in the case. As the court stated, the real issue as to both the affirmative defense and as to punitive damages was the appellants' state of mind and whether an improper motive existed. The appellants were never precluded from bringing in evidence to demonstrate that their intent was pure and that they only desired to protect the environment. A complicated study and technical facts regarding validity of their beliefs was not necessary for the appellants to assert that they held the beliefs they did. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's denial of appellants' motion for a new trial as to the admission of the EIS and the biologists' testimony.