Judge holds off on dismissing wolverine lawsuit

A judge is ordering the federal government to say by Dec. 14 when it might issue a new decision on whether to list the wolverine as a threatened or endangered species.

The order by a federal judge in Montana came Thursday as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks to dismiss a lawsuit filed by environmental organizations. The organizations are challenging the agency's finding that the wolverine warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act but that its listing is precluded by higher-priority listing actions.

The agency says it already expects to publish a new listing decision in January.

A judge didn't grant the dismissal request Thursday but said the agency must say by Dec. 14 whether it will issue the decision by Jan. 18, or the case will move forward.