Utah has decided to sue the federal government over its new set of rules intended to protect the greater sage grouse — following similar lawsuits lodged by Idaho and nine Nevada counties, ranchers and two mining companies.
Utah state officials argue that the guidelines announced in September impose unnecessary restrictions for activities on and near sage grouse habitat.
A state plan unveiled in 2013 is sufficient for the conservation of the hen-sized bird, the Utah Attorney General contends in the lawsuit filed Thursday.
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State officials and members of Utah’s all-Republican congressional delegation called the lawsuit an important stance against federal overreach.
