The Obama administration says it intends to work through a backlog of more than 250 imperiled animal and plant species over the next six years to decide if they need protection under the Endangered Species Act. Interior Department officials say Tuesday that the proposal stems from a court agreement with environmentalists. The agency has been sued numerous times over its handling of species as diverse as greater sage grouse and Canada lynx. Those are included on a long list of fish, birds, mammals, plants and even snails that scientists say need greater protections. But with too few resources to cover restoration costs, the Interior Department has instead put the plants and animals on a list of candidates for greater protection. Some of those species have been awaiting review for years.

Story From The Associated Press

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