Supreme Court Will Hear Navy Sonar Appeal

(NEWSER) - The Supreme Court has refused to hear a challenge to the completion of the border fence between the US and Mexico, Fox News reports. Environmental groups, an Indian tribe, and the city of El Paso brought the challenge, contending that a fence will cut off access to the Rio Grande for religious, cultural, and municipal purposes. The Obama administration had encouraged the court to reject the case. More»

1.6K whales, dolphins could face injury, hearing loss in year

(NEWSER) - The Navy's use of sonar and explosives could deal damage to some 1,600 marine mammals near California and Hawaii every year—a figure far higher than once believed. The whales and dolphins are at risk of hearing loss and other injuries, the AP reports. What's more, the explosives could accidentally kill up to 200 animals. An earlier study assessing the risk between 2009 and 2013 predicted that just 100 creatures could be hurt or killed. The new research is part of an environmental impact statement that considers the Navy's plans between 2014 and 2019. More»

Sonar exercises linked to mass beachings

(NEWSER) - A new study has provided the strongest evidence yet that naval sonar is responsible for the stranding and death of large groups of beaked whales. Researchers working near the US Navy's Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center found that the whales stopped making their clicking and buzzing calls during live sonar exercises and fled the area, the BBC reports. The response was the same as it was to simulated killer whale calls, a key predator of the creatures. More»

5-4 decision sides with Bush administration

(NEWSER) - The Supreme Court sided 5-4 with the Bush administration today, exempting the Navy from switching off high-powered sonar near whales during training off California's coast. The piercing underwater sounds panic whales and make their ears bleed, environmentalists tell the Los Angeles Times. But the “public interest” in the exercises “plainly outweighs” those environmental concerns, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote. More»

Dozens dumped to speed building

(NEWSER) - Homeland Security is ditching environmental laws in a push to finish 670 miles of border fence along Mexico by the end of this year, reports the Los Angeles Times. Congress has approved a waiver for more than 30 environmental and cultural laws to accelerate building. Critics say the plans are being pushed through without proper assessment and will endanger wildlife. More»