More of the same Bush shenanigans

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/257/story/57881.html

Probe finds politics drove endangered species decisions
By Michael Doyle | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — Politics corroded Bush administration decisions on protecting endangered species nationwide, federal investigators have concluded in a sweeping new report.

Former Interior Department official Julie MacDonald frequently bullied career scientists to reduce species protections, the Interior Department investigators found. Species from the California tiger salamander to plants and crustaceans found in vernal pools were rendered potentially more vulnerable as a result, environmentalists believe.

Frustrated scientists went so far as to consider artificially inflating the California vernal pool critical habitat by 20 percent to offset MacDonald's anticipated cuts, investigators noted.

"The results of this investigation paint a picture of something akin to a secret society residing within the Interior Department that was colluding to undermine the protection of endangered wildlife and covering for one another's misdeeds," Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., declared Monday.