ROCKY FLATS, Colo., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Mouse 1, Developers 0 -- the Preble's meadow jumping mouse likely will get a much larger habitat along Colorado's Front Range as a result of a federal proposal.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to nearly double the mouse's current habitat of 20,680 acres, likely limiting development despite arguments the action is unnecessary to protect the endangered species, a sub-species of the Western jumping mouse, which is no longer considered endangered as a result of diminished development pressure in Wyoming.
Environmentalist Josh Pollock, conservation director for the Center for Native Ecosystems, cheered the federal action.
"Those little brown furry guys are a critical piece of our native wildlife, but the places they live also are critical to us for all sorts of other reasons," he told the Denver Post. "It's where our drinking water comes from, where our open spaces are -- areas we should be protecting.
"Enhanced habitat for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse can only help."
Ron Opsahl, who represents the Mountain States Legal Foundation, told the Post the Fish and Wildlife action could result in $80 million in economic losses.
