CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) — Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced Nov. 4 his intent to intervene in a lawsuit on behalf of Nevada over conservation efforts of the Bi-State sage-grouse, a species of sage-grouse living along the Nevada-California border.
In April 2015, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service determined the species did not need to be listed as endangered. Environmental activist groups now seek to have that decision changed.
"I continue to be committed to defending Nevada’s central role in protecting habitat in our state, including using litigation as a tool when necessary,” Laxalt said.
“Nevada has always made an effort to preserve, protect, manage and restore its diverse wildlife, and the state has moved to intervene in this suit to ensure the concerns and interests unique to Nevada are heard. I am proud to work with Gov. Brian Sandoval to protect Nevada’s conservation efforts.”
Laxalt intervened because Sandoval, asked him. Sandoval believes local, state and federal officials have worked tirelessly throughout the last 15 years to develop an effective conservation plan for the sage-grouse so that it would not need to join the endangered list.