Hoping to burnish President Bush's conservation legacy, the White House is considering creating some of the largest marine reserves in the world, NPR reports. The plan -- now being discussed, but not a sure thing -- would have Bush use his powers under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to create "marine monuments," which would not require the approval of Congress. In 2006, Bush used the Act to designate a vast marine reserve around the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Last year, administration officials invited ocean advocates to a closed-door meeting to discuss the possibility of creating more reserves, where oil drilling, fishing, and other development would be banned. Areas under consideration include coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Atlantic Ocean off the coasts of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, plus more far-flung spots near American-owned islands in the Pacific Ocean. A decision could be announced within a month.
source: NPR
James Bond calls for more marine protected areas
Comments
View as Flat
caniscandida Posted 5:26 pm
26 May 2008
Presumably the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas are off the table, though ...
As for Bush's legacy, historians will say, "He only did this, not because he believed it was a good thing to do, but because he was advised it would improve his legacy."
Permalink
Bregalad Posted 11:04 pm
26 May 2008
Permalink
Tasermons Partner Posted 2:09 am
27 May 2008
Then again, for some reason, he does seem more passionate 'bout marine conservation than other types. Maybe it's legit, who knows?
Permalink