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
the “fed’s” are using every bit of ammo they can get to take our land from us—please do not give up
aaaah Mouse Deer?
More land shut down to the disabled.
Yep
Disband the damn Feds! Or put people in there that have some common sense and compassion!
ONCE AGAIN THE EPA STRIKES, years ago in CA, the EPA declared the stickleback an endangered species (it’s a stupid blind fish that live waaaay under the ground); in doing so the EPA ruined several local farmers & ranchers. Some 20/30 years later the EPA declared another blind fish endangered, this act destroyed the family farmland of the breadbasket of CA, the San Joaquin Valley. Now the EPA is after a ranch in New Mexico (the ranchers & their cows have been co-existing with this endangered mouse since the ranches inception), if the EPA keeps this up there will be NO family farms or ranches left in America!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then, just like the products of our manufacturing, our food will be produced by Corporations & half of it will be imported from around the world: due to over regulation, America has a limited number of mass production jobs; &, due to more EPA regulations, the government has just made sure that America will no longer be able to feed itself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doesn’t really make logical sense does it?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? But, when your goal is global instead of American, it makes perfect sense!!!!!!!! Our politicians don’t think America is exceptional anymore, they feel America is the root of alllllllll evil & they have joined with the United Nations & NATO to rain in that evil. (Boy, did I just sound like a conspiracy theorist…sooooo I guess I have to ask: “Does anyone else have a legitimate reason for our politician’s to allow the creation of sooooooo many rules & regulations that the average American can on longer make a decent living by the sweat of his own efforts: instead we are being forced to exist on government handouts while our personal efforts are limited by government rules & regulations?????????)
Ridiculous!
the epa needs to go, i agree go clean up the sea that has garbage the sizre of texas flotting on it. a mouse and cow has been living together for thousands of years. and sence when is a mouse more importain then a farm. E.P.A. NEEDS GONE, DHL NEEDS GONE THE I.R.S. THE NSA and anything that does not help the people.
How many hawks, eagles, owls, coyote’s,foxes, Rodent eating varmint’s are in that area also. .Any thing that produces a Income the GOV wants to kill It.
can you really believe this one. TIME THE EPA TAKES A HIKE, someones ego needs stroked to feel ‘self importance’ and this is what they came up with. HOW SAD.