LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson has created a stand-alone bureau in his office that will focus on agriculture, natural resources and the environment.

The new bureau was pulled from an existing section of state’s Consumer Protection Division. Peterson said Tuesday that the bureau will focus on longstanding legal battles over water and federal regulations.

Justin Lavene, an assistant attorney general, will serve as the bureau’s chief.

Lavene supervises the litigation support for Nebraska state agencies and boards, including the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Agriculture, the Game and Parks Commission, the Environmental Trust and state commodity boards.