Navy Wants Blanket Permit for Sonar Experiments

HONOLULU, Hawaii, July 27, 2007 (ENS) - The U.S. Navy is seeking to do away with the case-by-case approval for sonar training in Hawaiian waters, and today submitted an draft Environmental Impact Statement to justify a one-time blanket permit for a wide range of activities.

Environmental groups and scientists say loud underwater sounds emitted by some sonar equipment harms whales and other marine mammals and disrupts their method of communicating by echolocation.

The study proposes testing and training over 2.3 square miles around Hawaii by six "strike groups." Activities would include sonar used to detect submarines, as well as testing on micro-satellite launches, laser-directed energy and hypersonic vehicles capable of speeds of around 3,000 miles per hour.

Environmentalists have sued in the past to prevent the use of sonar without requirements to avoid marine mammals or stop the sonar blasts if they swim nearby. Last summer a federal judge briefly halted the use of sonar during the RIMPAC exercises off Hawaii.

But in January, the Defense Department exempted Navy sonar from the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act for two years.

Another lawsuit filed May 16 by EarthJustice on behalf of five nongovernmental organizations, asks the court to prohibit naval sonar exercises near Hawaii, saying that sonar can have a negative impact on marine mammals.
Capt. Scott Gureck, Pacific Fleet public affairs officer, says the Navy is "disappointed" that the groups decided to sue again.

"Since January the Navy has conducted two undersea warfare exercises, incorporating mid-frequency active sonar, with no issues," he said. "We take steps to identify and avoid marine mammals during training, and we are complying with all laws that protect marine mammals throughout the Hawaiian Islands - the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act."

An executive summary of the Navy's draft environmental impact study says no marine mammal deaths are predicted as a result of sonar, but to take "scientific uncertainty" into account the Navy is requesting a "take" of 20 marine mammals.

Public comment will be sought on the environmental impact study after it appears in the Federal Register.

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