BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A U.S. judge has dealt a setback to the Trump administration's efforts to increase domestic oil and gas exploration.
Judge Brian Morris said administration officials failed to protect habitat for a declining bird species when it issued leases on hundreds of thousands of acres.
The case involves greater sage grouse, a ground-dwelling bird that's seen its numbers drop dramatically in recent decades. In his ruling late Friday, Morris struck down administration policies that have allowed more drilling in sage grouse habitat.
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The judge also canceled leases on more than 300,000 acres in Montana and Wyoming and required officials to return the sales proceeds to companies.