GRANTS PASS (AP) — Conservation groups are suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over logging on the Elliot State Forest in Oregon that has resulted in a dramatic decrease in the numbers of northern spotted owls.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District in Portland argues that under the Endangered Species Act, the federal agency must reopen consultation with the Oregon Department of Forestry over its plan for protecting owl habitat because owl numbers have dropped faster than expected.

Spokeswoman Joan Jewett says the Fish and Wildlife Service has not seen the lawsuit, but it is working with Oregon a new owl habitat conservation plan for the state forest.