Intensive logging created New England's rich wetlands

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20927942.600-intensive-logging-created-new-englands-rich-wetlands.html

THOSE who enjoy the wetlands and seafood of New England's coastline may be surprised by who they have to thank: the loggers of the 18th and 19th centuries. In clearing vast tracts of land, those prolific loggers released so much sand and dirt that open-water bays turned into swamps.

While logging devastated the landscape, it had the opposite effect on the coast. The wetlands it boosted buffer the coastline from storms, stop pollutants in the ocean from reaching the shore, and shelter marine organisms. "No wetlands, no seafood," says Matthew Kirwan of the US Geological Survey in Laurel, Maryland.

For purists who favour returning New England to its natural state - and restoration is a multibillion-dollar endeavour - the theory presents a conundrum. Many New England marshes are much bigger than they were before the arrival of European settlers, says Kirwan, so restoring the environment to a "natural" state would mean losing much of the marshland and its benefits.

Boehner fires back at Dem senators with vow to push forward with repeal

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/135895-boehner-fires-back-at-dem-senators-with-vow-to-push-forward-with-repeal

Incoming House Speaker John Boehner's office (R-Ohio) pointedly vowed on Tuesday to push ahead with legislation repealing healthcare reform.

Boehner's office responded to a letter sent by the Senate's top five Democrats, vowing to block a House bill repealing healthcare reform, with a terse, 65-word note.

Boehner's office wrote:

Senators Reid, Durbin, Schumer, Murray and Stabenow:

Thank you for reminding us – and the American people – of the backroom deal that you struck behind closed doors with ‘Big Pharma,’ resulting in bigger profits for the drug companies, and higher prescription drug costs for 33 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D, at a cost to the taxpayers of $42.6 billion.

The House is going to pass legislation to repeal that now. You’re welcome.

- Speaker-Designate John Boehner’s Press Office