leases

The White House's plan would allow conservationists and others to lease federally owned land to restore it, much the same way oil companies buy leases to drill and ranchers pay to graze cattle.

North Dakota's attorney general says the canceled lease sales have cost the state over $100 million in revenue each year.

Few leases were sold in recent years as coal demand shrank drastically.

Sage grouse have suffered sharp declines because of development, disease, drought and wildfires.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the rules last month because they could allow activity likely to harm the struggling bird species in seven Western states.