President Hipólito Mejía converted into law the bill that creates the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales). He also formalized the appointment of Frank Moya Pons as the first minister of the newly created department. Moya Pons is probably the best known Dominican historian. An author of 20 books, he has taught Latin American and Caribbean history at Columbia University and the University of Florida, and has lectured extensively throughout the world. He is a graduate of Columbia University in New York City. He has also been a consultant and development specialist and is regarded as one of the Dominicans who best knows the DR territory.
