The Lucero family has grazed livestock near Fenton Lake in the Santa Fe National Forest in New Mexico for more than a century.
The feds now plan to fence out this family from this land for an endangered mouse – the meadow jumping mouse – which has now been listed as an endangered species.
The federal government has successfully used the ‘endangered species’ excuse to seize land for decades.
SANTA FE NATIONAL FOREST, N.M. — For more than a century, the Lucero family has grazed livestock in the majestic landscape near Fenton Lake in the Santa Fe National Forest. They started with sheep and, in the 1920s, switched to cattle.
But that may all come to an end because of an endangered mouse.
“You’re taking a lot of heritage away,” said Mike Lucero, as he looks over the creek that cuts through the meadow. He was accompanied by his brother Manuel and cousin Orlando, who have brought their family’s cattle to this spot since they were children.
Last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the meadow jumping mouse as an endangered species. Now, the U.S. Forest Service, which oversees the Santa Fe National Forest, is considering erecting a series of 8-foot high fences to protect the mouse’s habitat.
THE MOUSE IN QUESTION: The meadow jumping mouse has recently been listed under the Endangered Species Act.
The Luceros, members of the San Diego Cattleman’s Association and holders of grazing permits with the federal government, say the fences will lock out their cattle — as well as those of other permit holders — from ever returning to the meadow where the livestock graze for 20 days in the spring and up to 40 days in the fall.
“We’re not insensitive to protecting the mouse,” Orlando Lucero said. “But let’s work on something that keeps everyone’s interests in mind.”
Forest Service officials in Albuquerque say no final decision has been made but, at the same time, they are required by law to comply with the Endangered Species Act. Since the meadow jumping mouse is now listed as endangered, the Forest Service is bound to take steps to protect its habitat.
Grazing was listed as one of the “a primary threats” to the mouse, said Robert Trujillo, the acting director of Wildlife, Fish and Rare Plants for the Southwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service.
“It’s been our experience that a fence like that to protect that occupied habitat seems to be the best way we can do our affirmative duty and protect that habitat,” Trujillo said.
But the Luceros say putting up a fence is an example of federal government overkill.
“At first, they were talking about a 300-yard fence on eight feet of either side (of the Rio Cebolla, a creek that feeds the meadow),” Manuel Lucero said. “But you look at the (Forest Service) map now and it goes on for three and a half miles – and that’s just for this allotment.”
Source: watchdog.org
Photo: Rob Nikolewski
What a crock. Put those crazy people in the nut house.
Just get truck full cats what mouse lol
They need more cats
STOP THE MADDNESS!
I’m with Jared only fence they need to worry about right now is on the border!
EPA needs dismantled and start over and make it work correctly
EPA AND BLM NEED TO BE REIGNED IN !!
Screw the Mouse… let these guys make a living.
Wild Horses says:
“Cliven Bundy needs to be in jail along with everyone who showed up on public land with guns to stop the BLM. Fact is the fight with Bundy has been going on since 1993 and he has lost not once but twice in a court of law because his family didn’t even own the Bundy Ranch until 1958 and all his bull was just that bull. The court give him months to remove his cattle from public land but he didn’t so the BLM when it to do it. Public land does not give Bundy or any other rancher the right to use it just because it is there or cry when a lease permit is pulled to protect wild life. We the American people pay more taxes to round up and clear the land of wild life for Welfare Rancher like rounding up and housing wild horses so they can run more cattle. We also pay taxes to replace cattle that wolfs and other wild life kill on public land as well as the experience to have wild life killed for these rancher. Maybe you guys should do a little research and see just how much you pay tax wise to these ranchers before their cattle and sheep end up on the table and how many millions of pounds are exported.”
From: http://www.truthandaction.org/feds-prep-take-land-endangered-mouse/comment-page-14/#comment-355509
Considering the last six years under this diabolical administration and it’s liberal minions, won’t be long until the American people move to exterminate the putrid and repugnant rats in Washington D.C. The stand-off at the Bundy ranch is only the beginning of the people standing up against a government that is undeniably out of control and becoming increasingly dangerous to this nation and its people
YOU, “Truth in Action” are the one who needs to do some research and figure out what the REAL truth is.
give me a fu g break.a mouse a dam mouse.this is pretty dam ignorant ,the $#%&!@* Obama’s doing and there worried about a f inf mouse, gige me a fu g break.its not for the mouse that’s for sure. just like the rancher up north of here .total bull$#%&!@*.fight them the feds are getting to big for there own good.
Then let them farm the species of mouse until it’s over populated, and get back to business… Stupid politicians…