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Lesser prairie chicken back on Endangered Species list

The lesser prairie chicken has been placed on the Endangered Species list despite efforts from livestock groups to block the designation.

The bird was added Monday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but several groups including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Kansas Livestock Association are suing the agency in a Texas federal court.  

Under the listing, the rule requires livestock producers in areas of five states to create grazing plans to protect themselves from activities that could harm the birds. It would also create additional regulations for landowners taking acres from the Conservation Reserve program.

For producers enrolled in a conservation service program, the NRCS is working with USFWS to ensure those plans meet grazing requirements.