BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Department of Lands has put forward a draft plan to protect sage grouse habitat on state endowment land as part an effort to avoid a federal listing of the bird under the Endangered Species Act.

The state agency that manages more than 2.4 million acres last week released the 33-page document that's intended to guide activities on the nearly 700,000 acres of state land deemed important habitat for sage grouse.

Agency officials say the plan complements Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's sage grouse plan he submitted for federal officials to consider as the government eyes protections in 11 Western states for the football-sized bird. The state agency is taking comments on its Proposed Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Plan through March 2.

More From News Radio 1310 KLIX