Today it was announced that Richard Pombo has lost his bid for reelection to the US Congress. For those that treasure the preservation of our environment this is a huge victory. Richard Pombo, frequently monitored for his frighteningly unfriendly environmental policies, has been eager to push forward policies to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration, open US coasts to off shore oil drilling and rewrite the Endangered Species Act.
As the nation notes the change in the political winds today with the close of the 2006 elections, we should take even greater note to the impact by which replacing one person can make. Today in regard to the environment this is the biggest and best change that could have been made. My spirits have been raised and I am again optimistic that improvements can be made in regard to securing our natural resources and environment not just for future generations but for the health and well being of the ecosystems that exist in our country.