Groups warn Yamhill County over butterfly
By The Associated Press

MCMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Conservation groups are warning Yamhill County they will sue if the county doesn't take steps to protect an endangered butterfly.

The Xerces Society and Center for Biological Diversity sent a letter Monday giving the county 60 days to make it clear they will start protecting the Fender's blue butterfly.

Once thought to be extinct, it was rediscovered in 1989.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has expressed concerns that county road maintenance kills off a species of lupine that the butterfly depends on to live.

County commissioners applied for a $391,000 grant to develop a habitat conservation plan, but then turned it down on a 2-1 vote over fears it would obligate them to future costs.

Copyright 2010 columbian.com.