The Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) is speaking out in support of a federal emergency order to restrict oil production in the endangered sage grouse's habitatdespite vows from the City of Medicine Hat to fight it.

In a press release Monday, the group says the emergency order is an essential first step in the bird's recovery andthe federal government is in danger of failing to properly implement the order.

"This is the slowest emergency I have ever seen," said AWAvice-presidentCliff Wallis in the press release.

The group was one of the first togo court to force the federal government to put the protection in place.

"Postponing the emergency order for the protection of the greater sagegrouse, as requested by the City of Medicine Hat andLGXOil and Gas Inc., would delay recovery and be counterproductive."

The City of Medicine Hat is going to court to in an effort to delay implementation of the emergency order, which was announced in early December.It is set to take effect Feb. 18.

Under the order, about 1,700 square kilometres of Crown land in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan will comeunder a set of rules to protect the sage grouse, thought to be down to as few as 90 birds in those provinces.

AWA says only 14 male birds were counted inAlbertain 2013.

The emergency protection order grew out of a 2012 court case brought by several environmental groups to force the federal government to live up to its Species At Risk legislation.

The order forbids the construction of new roads, tall fences or high objects and restricts loud noises during certain times of year which would restrict oil and gas production.

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Medicine Hat councillor explains sage grouse legal challenge