US won't appeal court rulings on lesser prairie chicken

The U.S. government won't appeal recent court rulings that stripped the lesser prairie chicken of federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The Fish and Wildlife Service reports the Justice Department filed a motion to dismiss its appeal of rulings in Texas.

The rulings found that Fish and Wildlife failed to make a proper evaluation of a multi-state conservation plan when it listed the lesser prairie chicken as threatened.

In response to the agency dismissing its appeals, Lubbock Congressman Randy Neugebauer says while the feds made the right decision, "I remain concerned that they may continue to try to reach into our state and harm our ability to both create jobs and protect our natural world through mandates and other means."

He adds he will continue to monitor the situation and take action as warranted.