Conservation groups want the U.S. Department of Interior to revoke approval for transmissions lines to cross federal land from a wind energy project on Steens Mountain, a popular outdoor recreation area in Eastern Oregon.

The Oregon Natural Desert Association and Audubon Society of Portland filed the petition Thursday, saying Columbia Energy Partners LLC has had some setbacks that make the future of the Echanis wind farm uncertain.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has cancelled authority to start work on the transmission lines due to a lawsuit by conservation groups challenging approval of the project, and the company has withdrawn its application to connect to the grid. The turbines would be on private land.

Columbia Energy Partners President Chris Crowley says he can't comment due to pending litigation.