i guess stuff like this is why we don't have whales in the lake any more...
Posted on 12/28/2008 8:33:06 AM PST by PghBaldy
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy and several plaintiffs, including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Cetacean Society International, the League for Coastal Protection, the Ocean Futures Society, and Jean-Michel Cousteau, entered into a settlement agreement to resolve a worldwide challenge to the Navy's testing and training with mid-frequency active sonar.
The settlement essentially adopts the long range program for environmental analysis and research that the Navy undertook in August 2005, months before this lawsuit was originally filed. The Navy will continue to implement a variety of protective measures previously developed in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The agreement does not require any additional mitigation measures.
"The Navy is pleased that after more than three years of extensive litigation, this matter has been brought to an end on favorable terms," said Frank R. Jimenez, General Counsel of the Navy. "The Navy welcomes an approach that relies more upon scientific research than litigation."
The settlement agreement additionally highlights the Navy's investment program in marine mammal research – $26 million in fiscal year 2008. As part of the settlement, the Navy has agreed over the next three fiscal years to direct $14.75 million of its research dollars to marine mammal topics of mutual interest to the Navy and the plaintiffs.
This settlement reaffirms the Navy commitment to balancing its leadership role in environmental stewardship with its responsibility to protect the public interest in national security by preserving the ability to conduct realistic training.
For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.
hooray for flipper.
Under the settlement, the Navy agrees to:
* Use shipboard software to scan training areas for marine mammals and to plot a course meant to avoid sensitive areas when possible.
* Look for whales through passive sonar, lookouts and aircraft during training so that the animals can be avoided.
* Reduce or shut down sonar when whales or dolphins are spotted close to ships.
The settlement comes after the Supreme Court sided with the Navy in the similar lawsuit, which was aimed at restricting the use of sonar during exercises off Southern California and Hawaii.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-whales-lawsuit28-2008dec28,0,1996069.story
It is all bullshit.
So it was really just a scam for money... and not for the benefit of the wales at all.
Yep, the Navy has been effectively “Jesse Jacksoned” and will begin paying extortion money to the green pimps.
Terrific. Even the NAVY bends over for the EnviroWacko Grifters. *Rolleyes*
Do as I say, not as I do, mais qui, after all it was for seeeance!
The taxpayers just got scammed.
One question...
What gives these environazis “standing” in court when “we the people” cannot even demand a valid BC from the “President Elect” ????
Riiiggght. The Navy is an agent of environmental stewardship. Stephen Decatur must be rolling over in his grave.
Its just like the time Dianne Feinstein ran the Navy out of the San Francisco Bay area. It was right after they completed a billion dollar upgrade of Navy housing and property for the sailors stationed there.
It was MONUMENTAL theft of national resources and taxpayer dollars.
She is just about the WORST senator in the history of the United States.
And the new Iranian sub. Shaped like a Blue Whale.
After all marine life was killed by sonar and depth charges during WWII, what are they talking about?
i guess stuff like this is why we don't have whales in the lake any more...Check I wonnder if any of them will whine about HAARP?.
So China and Russia agreed to limit themselves as well?
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