Earlier this week, President Bush exempted the U.S. Navy from parts of an environmental law so it could continue to use mid-frequency sonar off the California coast. Mid-frequency sonar has been linked to deafness, beachings, and other injuries of marine mammals. Responding to Bush's move, the federal judge who earlier this month ordered the Navy to adopt restrictions on its use of the powerful sonar has temporarily suspended two of the precautions the Navy most despises. The Navy is no longer required to shut off the sonar when marine mammals come within 2,200 yards (now it's 200 yards), and the Navy no longer has to reduce the sonar's power when certain ocean conditions make the sonar travel farther than it normally would. However, the other precautions the judge imposed this month remain in place for now, including the 12-mile no-sonar buffer zone off the California coast and the requirement for the Navy to post trained whale spotters on its ships and planes. Next week, the judge will hear arguments from conservation groups involved in the case.
source: Los Angeles Times
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Wolverine Posted 11:35 am
18 Jan 2008
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cmello Posted 2:28 am
22 Jan 2008
I was not aware that our enemies in the GWOT (global war on terror) had big naval fleets of submarines and other ships lying off the coast of California, just ready to attack the state.
Since the Navy seems intent on maiming marine mammals, have marine mammals become terrorist and no one warned California residents to beware of seals, whales, etc?
The Federal Government just does not like California, especially our judges. We are always being picked on.
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