The suit filed May 12 seeks to block implementation of the conservation plan, alleging the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land use plans developed were amended in violation of federal environmental procedural laws.
"Western Energy Alliance’s complaint is narrowly targeted to challenge key procedural violations related to the promulgation and imposition of habitat designations and related restrictions and prohibitions on oil and natural gas leasing and development," said Bret Sumner, shareholder at Beatty & Wozniak and lead attorney for the Alliance.
Lawsuits challenging the sage grouse plan have also been filed by counties in Idaho, Utah, Nevada, the American Exploration & Mining Association, the Wyoming Coalition of Local Governments, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and the Western Watersheds Project.