SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah wants more time to prove no further federal intervention is needed to protect the state’s dwindling sage grouse population, throwing $2 million into the effort to retain control of the bird’s habitat.

The state has hired a lobbying team that’s knocking on doors of oil and gas companies and hunters in an effort to raise money to match Utah’s share, state natural resources director Michael Styler said Tuesday.

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