The Alabama Beach Mouse is in the news again. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is designating areas in and around Gulf Shores as "Critical Habitat" meaning these areas are critically important to the survival of the species. The designation doesn't mean the areas are off-limits to development and use; but it does mean that those areas will be carefully monitored and maintained to ensure they remain hospitable to the Alabama Beach Mouse.
Economic analysis says between $18 million to $51 million needed to protect beach mouse
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has announced the release of a draft version of an economic analysis examining costs associated with designating parts of the Fort Morgan Peninsula and areas around Gulf Shores as "critical habitat" for the endangered Alabama beach mouse.
The critical habitat designation is used by scientists to describe geographic areas that are required if an endangered animal is to be rescued from extinction.
In February, Fish & Wildlife officials expanded the original area to be designated as critical habitat, after learning that some areas with sand dunes well above sea level are important for the mice as refuges during hurricanes.