Obama restores scientific review in Endangered Species Act

President Obama issued a memorandum yesterday that restored scientific review to federal projects under the Endangered Species Act.  The move overturned steps taken by the Bush administration in December that allowed federal agencies to conduct projects without requesting an independent review by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (a part of NOAA).

The president reiterated his inauguration-day promise to restore science to its rightful place in the government, saying yesterday that the work of scientists and experts will be respected in his administration.

Obama’s move makes good on his promises to the ecological community, not just for the protection of endangered species but for, as he says, respect of scientists themselves.

Read more at The Washington Post here.