CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A group of counties and conservation districts in western Wyoming is suing over the federal government's sweeping plans to protect habitat for the greater sage grouse.
The Wyoming Coalition of Local Governments filed a petition for review Monday in federal court in Wyoming.
The greater sage grouse is a ground-dwelling bird that has lost much of its habitat to development and declined significantly in number.
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The birds live in 11 states from the Oregon to the Dakotas.
The Interior Department announced in September that it would not pursue federal protection for the greater sage grouse but would implement a series of land-use plans to help protect the bird.