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
Bull$#%&!@*. This is just an excuse to run these people off the land. The radical environmentalists who run the EPA now don’t want anyone to be able to go on this land but them. It was the same with the ‘spotted Owl’ bull$#%&!@* in Washington State. They shut down the woods and cost the loggers their way of life, and the stupid owls are going extinct anyway.
It doesn’t have any thing to do with the mouse.
Rediculous
A mouse. Get real. There’s money here that some crooked a$% wants to get their hands on.
time to revolt!!!!
The idea of an “endangered mouse” is totally contrary to biology. These creatures have a horrific birth rate and really cannot be “endangered”. The “endangered mouse” is only a ploy to keep taking viable ranchland out of family hands.
obama+++ still destroying our way of life and congress
this is the Bundy scenario all over again — do we really need to save mice????? I don’t think so — believe me — they will be here long after we are gone
Endangered mouse vs Endangered Lucero family? Turtle first then mouse second, Wowwwwwwwwwwww, only in America!! The Feds priority are the creatures than human beings, I hope the illegals could see.
More lies and fed confiscation of the country. (Communist/NWO agenda)