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Navy, Greenies Settle Sonar Dispute

Both sides declare victory in long-running lawsuit

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 28, 2008 12:54 PM CST

(Newser) – The Navy and environmental groups both declared victory today after the two sides settled a lawsuit over sonar and its effect on whales and other marine mammals, the Los Angeles Times reports. The settlement, reached Friday, calls for Navy ships to avoid sensitive areas and reduce or halt sonar when marine mammals are nearby.

The deal doesn’t resolve scientists’ issues with the Navy, said an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, but “we’re hopeful it will lead to a much more effective dialogue.” The Navy, which says the settlement protects national security, argues that sonar is essential to detecting submarines from enemy states. Environmentalists counter that its piercing sounds harm and kill whales.

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The Navy says sonar training is essential for sailors to be prepared to detect super-quiet diesel submarines that are being purchased or built by rogue Third World nations, including Iran. (AP Photo/US Navy - James R. Evan)

The Navy and several environmental groups settled a lawsuit that challenged the Navy's use of sonar around the globe as dangerous to whales and other marine mammals, the two sides said. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Environmentalists contend that the Navy's use of active sonar is hurting and perhaps killing whales by sending out high-pitched tones. (AP Photo/ Cascadia Research Collective, Robin W. Baird)

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The Navy is pleased that after more than three years of extensive litigation, this matter has been brought to an end on favorable terms. - Frank R. Jimenez, the Navy's general counsel

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Navy, Greenies Settle Sonar Dispute