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
How about the fried birds from government solar panels and chopped up birds and bats from wind generators.
Ward Damon Hubbard says:
“This is the kind of nonsense we have when we have greedy elected officials who do not care about the oath they took, the public they serve, and The Constitution of which they serve, I first read this and it stinks to high heaven, just like the Bundy Ranch in NV. Who the hell is running this government anyway, and what can we expect to see next, paramilitary EPA agents in MRAP’s complete with snipers? And we as a nation just keep voting these a^^holes into office red or blue there’s no difference! WAKE UP PEOPLE! If we do not change this, it will only get worse, this action, in and of it’s self has United Nation’s Agenda 21 finger prints all over it! That is who is calling the shot of the EPA, FDA, CDC, it’s time we kick these Nazi based bastard lout of our government and our nation, our very way of life is being threaten!”
From: http://www.truthandaction.org/feds-prep-take-land-endangered-mouse/comment-page-24/#comment-499157
If people who are so worried about endangered species had their way, they would bring back the extinct dinosaurs.
This is an EXCUSE FOR the Washington Liberals to Steal from people.
This is the kind of nonsense we have when we have greedy elected officials who do not care about the oath they took, the public they serve, and The Constitution of which they serve, I first read this and it stinks to high heaven, just like the Bundy Ranch in NV. Who the hell is running this government anyway, and what can we expect to see next, paramilitary EPA agents in MRAP’s complete with snipers? And we as a nation just keep voting these a^^holes into office red or blue there’s no difference! WAKE UP PEOPLE! If we do not change this, it will only get worse, this action, in and of it’s self has United Nation’s Agenda 21 finger prints all over it! That is who is calling the shot of the EPA, FDA, CDC, it’s time we kick these Nazi based bastard lout of our government and our nation, our very way of life is being threaten!
this is c**p the mice will not be harmed by the cattle it’s Obama and Harry Reid’s c**p well the EPA is probably in it to
What gives them the right, to take what people work their whole life for. Doesn’t it feel like we have no say to what is going on? I am so tired of people choosing how and what you will do. Might as well just hand everything over to who is taking it all. Just my 2 cents. I am sick of all of it.
DISGRACEFUL! I’m so sorry for this family <3
YEAH! lets save the damn rodent to hell with people. Grrrrr!
Change this in November or this kind of c**p will never stop vote people