Agreeing that the state can’t afford the damage that could be caused by a federal listing of the sage grouse as endangered, the legislative Interim Finance Committee voted Thursday to approve about $300,000 to hire staff dedicated to a state-level effort to prevent that listing.The state program was developed by a commission appointed by Gov. Brian Sandoval and headed by Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell. State Conservation and Natural Resources Director Leo Drozdoff told lawmakers the goal is to demonstrate as soon as possible to the federal Fish and Wildlife Service that the state is on top of protecting the …