US Navy,
WASHINGTON: A federal court has ordered the Navy to take additional mitigating measures when training with mid-frequency active sonar off the California coast.
Judge Florence-Marie Cooper of the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California issued a preliminary injunction Jan. 3 that creates a 12 nautical mile coastal exclusion zone off the California coastline and requires sonar to be shut down anytime marine mammals are within 2,200 yards.
“We are assessing the totality of this order with respect to our training off the coast of Southern California and considering our next steps,” said Cmdr. Jeff Davis, a Navy spokesman. “Despite the care the Court took in crafting its order, we do not believe it struck the right balance between national security and environmental concerns.”
The Navy already employs 29 mitigating measures when operating sonar during major training exercises or within established operating areas. The existing measures include: Stationing trained lookouts, listening passively for marine mammals, employing night vision and thermal imaging equipment, establishing protective zones around ships, taking appropriate action when marine mammals are spotted and employing extra precautions during chokepoint exercises.
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Peruvian submarines and surface vessels accompany the guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) and the guided-missile frigate USS Halyburton (FFG 40) during Silent Forces Exercise (SIFOREX).
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The court's order requires the Navy to conduct additional monitoring for marine mammals, to reduce power on sonar when surface ducting conditions exist, and to take additional monitoring steps prior to and during sonar exercises. It also restricts the Navy from using sonar altogether in the Catalina Basin, and requires helicopters to monitor for whales for 10 minutes before using active dipping sonar.
In the order Judge Cooper cited her visit Dec. 27 visit to USS Milius (DDG 69) in San Diego, and recognized the importance of realistic training, calling mid-frequency active sonar “a tool that has proven far more effective at detecting modern, quiet-running diesel electric submarines than passive sonar.”
“We appreciate the time and care the court has taken to become familiar with the issue, including Judge Cooper's visit to a ship and talking to Sailors in San Diego about Navy sonar training operations,” said Davis.
“This is a complex issue and extremely important to the national security of the United States and the training and readiness of our Sailors and Marines,” said Davis. “Our position continues to be that it is possible to protect marine mammals while also preserving national security.”
