SALT LAKE CITY - Three environmental groups filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the federal government for its failure to immediately enact protections for the greater sage grouse, which is found in Utah.

Although the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service deemed the bird merited addition to the Endangered Species List - kicking loose a variety of protections - it also said in its March decision that other species of animals had higher priority. For now, the sage grouse remains a "candidate" species.

"Delay in protecting the sage grouse is a recipe for extinction for these magnificent birds," said Jon Marvel, executive director of... [continue via Web link]