When whales began to beach themselves off the coast of California in March of 2000, many scientists and environmental activists knew something was wrong. An increase in beached whales became evident in 2003, following more common sonar testing under the Bush administration’s effort for greater Homeland Security.
Sonar testing is used by the United States Navy to track enemy submarines or while practicing training efforts in case of emergencies. In 2004, the Bush administration allowed the U.S. Navy exemption from following procedures to protect ocean life and their living environment. Scientists agree that frequencies put out by sonar systems have negative consequences to whales and other ocean life. Noises created by sonar can cause hearing loss, injury, and other disturbances to whales and dolphins. Beached whales are now showing up in hundreds off the coast of southern California where they are unable to get back into the ocean, and they eventually die.
A recent district court ruling stated that the Navy’s exemption from having to follow environmental standards was not in compliance with the law.
In a press release from the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) the organization argues that “The court is saying that neither the President nor the U.S. Navy is above the law.” The NRDC demanded the Federal Appeals Court to reject the Bush administration’s sonar waiver, and that “the Navy must be environmentally responsible when training with high intensity sonar, and that doing so won’t interfere with military readiness.”
The U.S. Navy must now be within twelve nautical miles from the coast to be allowed to practice sonar testing, and if near any ocean mammals, the testing must be terminated. The Navy also plans to appeal the case in an attempt to overturn the ruling.
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