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submarines are becoming quieter and more difficult to detect.
The navy contends that safeguards will be in place to ensure that no harm comes to marine life. The navy will be required to employ special measures, such as scanning for any marine mammals in the area and shutting the system down if animals are found. No mention is made of human divers.
But the navy has been granted a five-year exemption from the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Under the act, the navy and the personnel responsible could be charged over the death of a whale or other marine mammals. A "free pass" has now been granted.
Or as Michael Jasny of the Natural Resources Defense Council explains, "The Bush administration has issued a blank check for the global use of the system."
Jim Trautman is a freelance writer who specializes in defense issues.
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