Governor Sean Parnell says he'll hire a full-time state attorney devoted to fending off what he calls the "misuse" of the Endangered Species Act.

The governor told an audience at the Resource Development Council's annual conference that the Endangered Species Act is "not a land-use planning tool" and must not be used to "lock up" land that could be used for energy development.

The state is currently fighting against the designation of polar bears as a threatened species under the act, as well as several other listings that could impact resource development of land, including oil and gas projects.

The governor's proposed operating budget for 2011 includes the attorney position as well as $800,000 earmarked for other legal help with the issues.

Check back here for more on this story later tonight and listen to the full text of Governor Sean Parnell's speech here.

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