A Section Of The Mouse Fence Along Forest Road 376

A Section Of The Mouse Fence Along Forest Road 376

Mouse Fence With Signage

Mouse Fence With Signage

Map Of Closure Area Along The Rio Cebolla

Map Of Closure Area Along The Rio Cebolla

Well, it’s not nearly as intrusive as I thought it was going to be. The ‘mouse fence’ that is.

I took a drive on FR376 to the south from Hwy 126 last week. It is about five miles to where the forest road first crosses over the Rio Cebolla. It is here that the fence to protect the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse begins. Standing about four feet high and constructed of strands of barbed wire and steel posts, it is meant to keep human recreationists and cattle away from the habitat of the federally protected mouse. Although the mouse has not been seen since 2008 (at least that is what I have heard) Santa Fe based WildEarth Guardians managed to have the mouse added to the federal endangered species list. The USDA Forest Service, Santa Fe National Forest was obligated by US Fish and Wildlife to erect the fence to protect the mouse. And so they did. Quickly.

While the closure along FR376 affects only 118 acres… campers, hikers and fisherman will see some of their prime recreation areas fenced and signs promising  a $5000 fine if trespassed. The good news is that there are still plenty of familiar and quality camping areas available and miles of stream to fish. Of course there is the forest service ‘Travel Management Plan’ that could be an issue for campers, but that is a whole other story.

The San Antonio Campground along Hwy 126 will remain open next summer and will be unaffected by the closure order for the most part. Because it has been determined that sections of the Rio San Antonio, including within the campground, are mouse habitat, the south side of the river through the campground will be closed to humans…but not fenced. The closed areas will be clearly signed so there will be no mistake about what is off limits.

While these closures to protect the “mighty mouse” will be noticeable, it could be a lot worse in my opinion.