June 30, 2006

National Defense Exemption to MMPA Authorized for Navy

WASHINGTON — The Department of Defense announced June 30 the authorization of a six-month national defense exemption from requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) for naval activity involving mid-frequency active sonar use during major training exercises and on established ranges and operating areas.

June 27, 2006

NOAA Grants Permit for Sonar Activities for Rim of the Pacific 2006

WASHINGTON — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued three key documents June 27 that support the critical international naval exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) while carefully protecting marine life. These documents enable naval forces from eight nations gathering this week in Pearl Harbor to begin RIMPAC 2006.

March 29, 2006

No Definitive Cause for 2005 North Carolina Stranding: Injuries Not Consistent With Sonar Use

NORFOLK, Va. — The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the final National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) report March 29 regarding the marine mammal stranding that occured at Oregon Inlet, N.C. on Jan. 15, 2005.

May 5, 2005

Navy, UH Studying Dolphins to Improve Sonar

Journalist 2nd Class Jessica B. Davis — Professionals and students from the University of Hawaii (UH) are currently studying dolphin hearing and echolocation - the use of sound waves to "see" - to help the Navy improve mining and sonar techniques and make the oceans safer for marine mammals

March 29, 2005

USS Shoup Report Concludes No Acoustic Trauma

PEARL HARBOR — A report released March 11 by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) concluded that although the Navy's use of active sonar may have "induced a behavioral response," it was unlikely that the exposure caused any injury. The report was inconclusive on the subsequent stranding of 16 harbor porpoises in the area.

June 18, 2004

NAS Key West Partners For Environmental Protection

KEY WEST, Fla. — The U.S. Navy strengthened its commitment to Florida's natural resources June 7, with the signing of the Natural Resources & Environmental Compliance Partnering agreement.

Nov. 28, 2003

CNI Merges Environmental Regions

POINT LOMA, Calif. — The recently established Commander, Naval Installations (CNI) Environmental Program Director is wasting no time merging together the Navy's environmental programs and people into a cohesive, single entity.

July 23, 2003

SUPSALV Team Brings Important Environmental Capability to OIF

WASHINGTON — An important capability put in place during Operation Iraqi Freedom by the Navy helped ensure that the military could fight the enemy, head off a potential environmental disaster and clear the way for the delivery of humanitarian aid. 

June 15, 2001

Ehime Maru Environmental Assessment Completed

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — A Navy Environmental Assessment, prepared in close coordination with federal and State of Hawaii agencies, concludes that moving Ehime Maru to shallow water will not result in significant environmental impacts.