Jan 21 2009
One victory for science under Bush
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We all know how much science in America has suffered under President Bush these last 8 years (see: grand canyon, stem cells, offshore drilling). Does he really have it in him to do something right by scientists and tree-huggers alike?
Apparently, he does.
On January 6th, 2008, President Bush designated 3 national monuments in the central Pacific Ocean. The three sites total just over 195,000 square miles, making this largest expanse of marine conservatory in the world.
The sites include Wake, Johnston, Palmyra, Baker, Howland, Jarvis, and Marianas Islands as well as the Rose Atoll (part of American Samoa) and Kingman Reef. All but Marianas Islands have a Fish and Wildlife Service station at their core.
Two years ago, Bush also designated 138,000 square miles around Hawaii as national monuments.
I guess when it comes to marine conservation, he’s not so bad. Or maybe he’s trying to get us to overlook the drilling. Your guess is as good as mine. After 8 years, I still don’t have a feel for what that man is thinking.
