Nevada Attorney General Challenges Federal Sage Grouse Rules

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt has signed the state onto a lawsuit challenging federal restrictions aimed at protecting sage grouse.

Laxalt announced the suit on Thursday. It comes a few weeks after federal officials announced the bird would not be listed as an endangered species because of aggressive measures underway to protect its habitat.

Gov. Brian Sandoval applauded that measure, even though he has raised concerns about differences between Nevada and federal officials' approaches to managing sage grouse habitat.

Other Republicans have been more critical of the development. Sen. Dean Heller said federal land use restrictions that come in lieu of the endangered species listing threaten the Western way of life by restricting mining and grazing.

Congressmen Joe Heck and Cresent Hardy also issued statements in support of Laxalt's lawsuit.