This begs the question from the Exxon Valdez era "does existence value exist?"
In an effort to protect diverse habitats of coral reefs, whales, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles and numerous fish species from commercial fishing and other activities, President Obama announced Tuesday that he intended to use his executive authority to create the world’s largest marine protected area in the south-central Pacific Ocean. ...
Representative Doc Hastings, Republican of Washington and chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement: “Oceans, like our federal lands, are intended to be multiple-use and open for a wide range of economic activities that includes fishing, recreation, conservation and energy production. It appears this administration will use whatever authorities — real or made up — to close our ocean and coastal areas with blatant disregard for possible economic consequences.”
via www.nytimes.com
Ahem, I'm no expert in law and public policy, but I think that wilderness areas are federal lands that aren't open to energy production.
