Endangered Species Act restored

In his last days in the White House, former President Bush repealed a law that requires developers to seek a threat assessment from the Department of Fish & Wildlife before undertaking development. The purpose of the assessment was to determine the level of risk to endangered species in the area.

Bush's change defied 35 years of precedent, but he claimed that the rule was a hindrance to the economy because it slowed the rate of development. However, it put the fate of some species in the hands of those not qualified to make the right decision.

Obama restored the original act today. He said, "Throughout our history, there's been a tension between those who've sought to conserve our natural resources for the benefit of future generations, and those who have sought to profit from these resources. This is a false choice. With smart, sustainable policies, we can grow our economy today and preserve the environment."

The decision has been lauded by environmentalists and some congressmen. This decision marks the first major step in Obama's goal to let policy be guided by science, rather than partisan politics or ideology.