Christmas in March!
Back in December I wrote about the Bush Administration's farewell to endangered species by "streamlining" the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Seems that, in a Bush Administration dictionary, "streamlining" translates to allowing industries to benefit at the expense of endangered and/or threatened wildlife. On December 11th 2008, with only weeks left in office, the Bush Administration passed their streamlining the ESA provision which meant that agencies no longer needed to consult with federal wildlife officials to ensure protection to endangered species. They could simply allow actions to take place without expert advice. When I wrote about it in December, I asked President Elect Obama for a Christmas gift- and today he granted it! President Obama repealed the streamlining provision reinstating the status quo. There are few times I can think of that I have been as happy to embrace the status quo as I am today! So, depending on how you look at it, Christmas came a bit late, or very early- but arrived none the less. Here's hoping the Obama Administration keeps gift giving for, at least, another four years!
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