President Obama today issued a memorandum asking federal officials to consult with scientists before taking actions that could threaten endangered species.  The action reverses a waiver, granted to federal agencies by former President George W. Bush in December of 2008, which exempted them from having to consult with experts before undertaking environmentally sensitive projects which could threaten to harm an ecosystem.

In some ways, it seems like we’re setting the bar a little low to be happy about seeing policies simply return to the way they should be.  But after 8 long, long years of the Bush administration, where virtually every common sense government policy known to man was turned on its head and threatened with an existential crisis, even a return to normalcy seems like V-J Day all over again.  While I certainly don’t envy President Obama and the current mess he needs to clean up, I will say that simply in terms of public perception, there is a benefit to following the Bush administration in that it’s hard to imagine someone messing things up worse.You can takepart in saving endangered species like those cute little polar bear cubs above by supporting the World Wildlife Fund.

LINKS:

Seattle PI: Scientists again to help in endangered species protections

Voice of America: Obama restored endangered species policy

Reuters: Obama rolls back Bush rules on endangered species