Navy told to lessen harm by its sonar
Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court yesterday ordered the U.S. Navy to lessen the harm its high-power sonar does to whales and other marine life during exercises off the Southern California coast.
The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals sent the matter to a trial judge in Los Angeles to figure out exactly how to fix the problem it says is apparent with the sonar.
The action was taken because the court said it's likely the Natural Resources Defense Council will win its lawsuit to force the Navy to lessen the harm.
The appeals court previously tossed out a blanket ban on the naval exercises, ruling that prohibition was too broad.
The council's lawsuit alleges the Navy's sonar causes whales to beach themselves, among other environmental harms.
The Navy maintains it already minimizes risks to marine life.
A similar suit is pending in federal court addressing the Navy's use of sonar in Hawaiian waters.
