Posted by
Mike on Friday, January 16, 2009 12:41:11 PM
In the wake of the spectacular water landing of US Airways Flight 1549, president-elect Barack Obama should revise his plans for after his Inaugural. Instead of making his first official act the closure of Gitmo or signing FOCA into law, Obama should direct the FAA to ground all foreign and domestic air traffic until Congress approves an environmental impact report with regard to the effects of air travel on bird species and fish in the Hudson River and their eggs. This must include the impact of air travel on the migratory patterns of wild geese and other migratory species. Since everyone knows that ducks and geese travel south for the winter in a distinctive
V formation, Obama should also require that Congress enter into a multinational treaty with Canada and Mexico to insure their protection before any flight schedules are resumed.
Obviously, the noise and exhaust of even light aircraft and helicopters can be hazardous to all aviary species. Forced landings can also be harmful to aquatic species. Many of these are undoubtedly on the endangered species list. Moreover, there are definite habitats for certain birds such as Capistrano for the swallows and Orlando for the snowbirds which should be kept off limits as federally protected wildlife habitat reserves.
Since the government is bailing out everybody, why not the birds and fish?