In January 2016, the Santa Fe National Forest issued Environmental Analysis for the New Mexico Jumping Mouse Critical Habitat Protection Project. The closure addresses the endangered species listing for the NM Meadow Jumping Mouse (NMMJM). This closure applies to all uses – grazing, fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, birdwatching.
New Mexico Trout’s analysis of the plan is summarized below:
- The NMMJM is endangered because cattle grazing in riparian areas has destroyed its habitat.
- Recreational uses – such as angling, birdwatching and nature photography – have not caused this habitat loss.
- The is no scientific justification for locking out non-consumptive recreational users.
Public response to the plan will be accepted by the Santa Fe National Forest until February 12, 2016.
There are very specific requirements for comments, summarized below:
- You must include your name, address and signature
- You must include the title of the project (Environmental Analysis for the New Mexico Jumping Mouse Critical Habitat Protection Project)
- Comments should address the action and include supporting reasons
- Comments should be your own
- Your comments can be mailed, hand-delivered or emailed.
- Mailing address: District Ranger, Jemez Ranger District, PO Box 150, Jemez Springs, NM 87025
- Telephone (575) 829-3535 or fax (575) 829-9223
- Email address comments-southwestern-santafe-jemez@fs.fed.us
- Hand-deliver weekdays 8:00 am – 4:30 pm to 051 Woodsy Lane, Jemez Springs
- Names and addresses of commenters become part of the public record
Additional resources:
- October 2008. WildEarth Guardians lawsuit to list the NMMJM as endangered
- June 2014. USDA declares NMMJM as endanger, Meadow Jumping Mouse homepage
- October 2014. SFNF issues Closure order
- January 2016. SFNF publishes draft New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse Critical Habitat Protection Project (environmental analysis)