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Navy Responds to Recent Sonar Ruling

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080206-16
Release Date: 2/6/2008 3:03:00 PM

From the U.S. Navy Chief of Information Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy issued the following statement, Feb. 6, responding to the ruling on Feb. 4, by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, which denied the Navy's motion to vacate its tailored preliminary injunction.

"We are disappointed in the decision of the court. We believe it does not properly balance two public goods: National defense and protection of the environment.

"We disagree with the court's conclusion that preparing a strike group for deployment is a matter of routine. Deploying strike groups without necessary training can mean the difference between life and death for thousands of Sailors and Marines.

"We take our responsibility to protect the environment seriously, and have taken extraordinary measures to protect marine mammals.

"When we send America's sons and daughters into harm's way, we must ensure they have the best possible training. The president determined that these exercises are in the paramount interest of the United States. We believe the court erred when it found otherwise."

For more information on sonar, visit www.navy.mil/oceans/.