February 2008

Federal judge rejects sonar waiver

A federal judge struck down a White House effort to exempt the U.S. Navy from obeying a key environmental law during sonar training exercises off the southern California coast. A month earlier, NRDC had won a court order requiring the Navy to put far-reaching safeguards in place during maneuvers with high-power sonar in order to protect whales from needless injury and death. The Navy's exercises would take place near the Channel Islands — one of the world's most sensitive marine environments. The far-reaching precautions imposed on the Navy included a ban on mid-frequency sonar within 12 miles of the California coast — a zone that is heavily used by migrating whales and dolphins — and between the Channel Islands.