It happened during Earth Day week:
A House committee Wednesday killed a plan to permanently ban oil and gas drilling on the Great Lakes, the source of one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water.
http://www.detnews.com/2005/politics/0504/23/A06-157649.htm
A likely culprit, Michigan Congressman Mike Rogers, who a week ago said he opposed "federalizing" the Great Lakes with an oil and drilling ban in national legislation, is not mentioned in the article. Let's hope his Republican colleague Vern Ehlers continues to try to federalize sensible bans and standards that protect the Great Lakes -- including a tough stance on invasive species.
It's always better to keep decision-making as close to the community as possible. But when the community is the Great Lakes ecosystem, that can mean national or even binational action.
Posted by Dave at April 23, 2005 10:40 AM