Navy denied request to increase use of sonar off California’s coast

Los Angeles Times : The US Navy wants to expand its use of sonar and underwater explosives in training exercises off the coast of California. The state’s Coastal Commission, however, voted unanimously against the navy’s proposal. It said the navy provided inadequate evidence that the damage to whales and other wildlife would be negligible. Environmentalists believe the navy’s projected numbersâmdash;130 marine mammals will be killed over the next five years and 1500 will suffer hearing lossâmdash;are greatly underestimated. By law, the navy is required to confer with the commission, but it argues that it does not have to abide by the commission’s decision. Although the navy has said it will continue to negotiate with the commission regarding methods to mitigate the impact of training on wildlife, it previously has indicated that some suggestions, such as slower speeds of naval vessels and reduced nighttime exercises, are not practical.