Feds close part of Jemez Mountains for mouse

In the latest dispute over public lands in the West, federal authorities have ordered the closure of parts of Santa Fe National Forest to protect a tiny mouse that recently won protection as an endangered species. The U.S. Forest Service ordered last week the immediate closure of four pockets in the Jemez Mountains — including a spot near a campground — to protect the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse. "It is prohibited to conduct any activity, go into, or be upon the areas encompassing 'occupied habitat' for the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse," forest supervisor Maria T. Garcia wrote in the closure order Violators could have fines up to $5,000. Forest Service officials have already closed off other areas this year to prevent damage to the habitat of the mouse under the Endangered Species Act. A proposal by federal wildlife managers also calls for setting aside as critical habitat nearly 200 miles along streams and wetlands in a dozen counties in New Mexico and parts of Arizona and Colorado...more