An eastern New Mexico county is suing the federal government in an effort to stop the listing of a rare grouse as a threatened species.
The Portales News-Tribune reports that Roosevelt County Commission will meet in special session Tuesday to give notice of intent to file a suit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The county also is joining an Arizona/New Mexico coalition in combating the lesser prairie chicken listing.
Ranchers and oil companies believe the listing will have a negative effect on the ranching, oil and gas and wind farm industries in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado. That's where the chicken's habitat is known.
Roosevelt County Manager Charlene Webb says the listing will hurt the county's road budget.
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