Good news for the West Coast

Most of what we hear about the environment is about how bad things are, so it's enough to make me jump up out of my seat and start dancing the Macarena to hear some good news about the protected areas increasing on the West Coast. And not just increasing, but tripling.

According to the Sierra Club, President Barack Obama declared that 3,000 square miles more of California's magnificent coastline would be added to the National Marine Sanctuary, bringing a total of 4,500 square miles under the protection of the federal government. The act prohibits any kind of drilling for oil or natural gas, while still allowing fishing. 

Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director, came out in praise of the designation:

"The Mendocino and Sonoma coastline draws visitors from around the world because of its unspoiled beauty and restorative vistas. It’s an important part of California's economic engine, and it could have been wiped out by a single offshore oil spill." 

Agreed. It's great to see that the an area that has a lot of wildlife and is sensitive to any kind of exploration or tragic accidents is protected. 

Even more, it's great to see that the current administration can find time to make something like this happen. It would be easy to get distracted with all of the financial and social issues going on that aren't directly related to the environmental needs. 

This kind of move represents one of the reasons that didn't make much of a splash in the election. Obama is a champion of the environment and we need someone like that in the White House. It's a move that won't get much press because it's not front page controversial, but it is representative of the "little things" that will happen for four more years that wouldn't have with almost anyone else. 

Happy swimming, everyone.

Image courtesy of super devoika via flickr