The House letter didn’t ask nicely. It said “cease this expensive, destructive, and — crucially — illegal action at once.” That word. Illegal. Federal law requires NSF to notify Congress at least 30 days before decommissioning any asset worth more than $2.5 million.

Lawmakers say that notification never came.  For a $386 million system built over a decade. That they’re literally pulling out of the water tomorrow. This is what happens when the noise gets loud enough. Scientists speak up. Press covers it. The public shares it. & eventually, Congress has to act.