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
Doesn’t the Taxpayers pay for all this land???? And everything else????
this is ridiculous, take land for a rodent that everyone wants to get rid of just let them go extenct we do not need morer mice in this country.
They will shoot them down Nancy Dean
Agenda21
Morons, mice over people,and they don’t realize they’re evil pigs.
Praying for your success!
So, are they going to build a wire fence, or a wooden fence, or a chain link fence, or a steel fence? Maybe an invisible fence? What’s it gonna be boys? How you gonna keep that little mouse in, does he have a curfew? What about all those families that raise their cattle for our country’s beef consumption, prices have gone up due to drought conditions, plus your ongoing control of our land and rights. You just keep on letting the illegals bring their sickness and diseases here; remember you have children too; and keep taking OUR rights away… so when are we going to be considered endangered to have our rights protected? You, the gov.,are doing such a good job of making us American citizens feel so insignificant, thanks for looking out for us. Where is our protective wall,huh?????
what bull$#%&!@*
we have to stand up for our country.we must revolt and take our country back.we can do were americans
Run the feds off n put up your own fence. Shoot em