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2/3/12
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Judge rejects challenge on sage grouse listing
By The Associated Press
AP
FILE - This May 9, 2008 file photo, shows a male sage grouse fighting for the attention of female sage grouse southwest of Rawlins, Wyo. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar plans to meet in Cheyenne on Friday Dec. 9, 2011 with representatives from 10 western states to discuss development of a comprehensive strategy to protect sage grouse while maintaining a strong economy. (AP Photo/Rawlins Daily Times, Jerret Raffety, File) NO SALES

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A federal judge has upheld the federal government's determination that sage grouse in the West deserve protection under the Endangered Species Act, but that other species have higher priority.

Judge B. Lynn Winmill on Thursday granted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's request to rule against two environmental groups in their lawsuit seeking increased protections for the bird. Western Watersheds Project and WildEarth Guardians had sued in 2010.

Jon Marvel, executive director of the Idaho-based Western Watershed Project, says Friday he is still reviewing the ruling and had no immediate comment.

Wyoming and other western states have been concerned that granting full federal protections for sage grouse could have hindered energy development.

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