Reno Hearing on US Sage Grouse Lawsuit Pushed to Nov. 17

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A federal judge in Reno has postponed a hearing on a request by several Nevada counties to block U.S. land managers from implementing new regulations intended to protect the greater sage grouse.

Justice Department lawyers and Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt filed a joint motion this week asking for a brief delay for the hearing that had been scheduled Nov. 12. U.S. District Judge Miranda Du agreed on Thursday to reschedule it for Nov. 17. Elko and Eureka counties and others filed the lawsuit in September, the day after Interior Secretary Sally Jewell decided against declaring the bird endangered.

Laxalt signed on as an additional plaintiff last month. The critics say the regulations could run mining companies and ranchers out of business and block construction of a $500 million wind energy project in Elko County.