Federal Judge Rules Navy Sonar Must Comply with Environmental Laws

Woke up yesterday to the news, scrolling across the bottom of the TV screen, that President Bush’s recent action (NEPA exemption) to allow of the Navy to conduct nearshore sonar and anti-submarine warfare exercises is NOT legal and will not stand.

According the decision by a U.S. District Court Judge, the Navy is not exempted from compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and must honor a court injunction creatng a 12 nautical-mile no-sonar zone off Southern California

From the article in Feb 5 Star Bulletin:

“It’s an excellent decision,” said Joel Reynolds, attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, which is spearheading the legal fight. “It reinstates the proper balance between national security and environmental protection.”

In May 2007, Earthjustice, along with KAHEA and several other local and national organizations, sued the Navy for their current Undersea Warfare Exercises (USWEX), which include a dozen high-intensity active sonar training events in the waters around Hawaii.

(photo from hawaiireef.noaa.gov)