Welcome to the U.S. Navy Section of the ADC Website.
The U.S. Navy wants to expand their training and testing area. Please make your voice heard on their public comment page.
From the Navy’s web site: “The Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard conduct military readiness activities in designated areas of the northeastern Pacific Ocean, including ocean areas offshore of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California, and in the Western Behm Canal in southeastern Alaska. The Navy also trains and conducts tests in certain areas within the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound, and at Navy pierside locations.”
Northwest Training and Testing Final EIS-OEIS Volume 1, Oct 2015
Northwest Training and Testing Final EIS-OEIS Volume 2, Oct 2015
Northwest Training and Testing Final EIS-OEIS Volume 3, Oct 2015
Northwest Training and Testing Final EIS-OEIS Volume 4, Oct 2015
(There are Six U.S. Navy Sections on the ADC Website due to the Extensive Information & Videos on this subject – See Below for links to all 6 sections.)
If you want the latest information on U.S. Navy Warfare Testing in the Pacific please visit the U.S. Navy Pacific Ocean Section. If you want the latest information on the U.S. Navy Warfare Testing in the Atlantic & Gulf of Mexico please visit the U.S. Navy Atlantic Ocean Section.
In a letter to NOAA, dated June 19, 2009, several U.S. Senators, including U.S. Senator Feinstein and U.S. Congressman Henry Waxman, stated: “…In many regions, the Navy plans to increase the number of its exercises or expand the areas in which they may occur, and virtually every coastal state will be affected. Some exercises may occur in the nation’s most biologically sensitive marine habitats, including National Marine Sanctuaries and breeding habitat for the endangered North Atlantic right whale. In all, the Navy anticipates more than 2.3 million takes (significant disruptions in marine mammal foraging, breeding, and other essential behaviors) per year, or 11.7 million takes over the course of a five-year permit…”[2]
Click on this Link for the U.S. Navy Archive Section which will not be updated after December 30, 2012: http://www.warcosts.net/u-s-navy-archives/
Click on this Link for the U.S. Navy Warfare New Weapons Testing & Experiments Section: http://www.warcosts.net/u-s-navy-warfare-test/
Click on this Link for the U.S. Navy Pacific Range Complex Information: http://www.warcosts.net/u-s-navy-pacific-warfare-testing-ranges/
Click on this Link for the U.S. Navy Atlantic & Gulf of Mexico Range Complex Information: http://www.warcosts.net/u-s-navy-atlantic-gomex-warfare-testing-ranges/
Click on this Link for the U.S. Navy New Information Section for 2013-2014 (Pacific, Atlantic & Gulf of Mexico http://www.warcosts.net/u-s-navy-new/
The FAA is allowing surveillance and armed drone (UAVs & UAS), flights over the U.S. at this time. The ADC has added a new section to this website regarding this issue. Please note that the U.S. Navy, and other military branches, along with many other government agencies are now in the process of being empowered to conduct drone flights over the United States. Click on the link below for more information on drone accidents and other issues.
http://www.warcosts.net/drone-warfare/
ALERT – NEW PROTECTION NEEDED FOR OUR MARINE MAMMALS & NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES FROM U.S. Navy 5-YEAR WARFARE TESTING EXPANSION IN THE PACIFIC & ATLANTIC OCEANS – SAVE OUR WHALES! U.S. or State Congressional Hearings on this subject are needed at this time.
Call your elected officials in Washington, D.C. Toll Free (1866) 220-0044
17 1 2012 U.S. Navy Cartoon-No Visual Sightings-Bombs Away-Sonarize the Oceans.pdf (Click for download of poster above.)
DEMAND MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION FROM BOMB BLASTS – SONAR & LIVE WEAPONS TESTING IN THE PACIFIC, ATLANTIC & THE GULF OF MEXICO TODAY!
Contact your elected representatives in Washington, DC Toll Free (1866) 220-0044
U.S. NAVY’S TWELVE 5-YEAR WARFARE TESTING PROGRAMS &
THE INCREASING & ONGOING THREAT TO THE GULF OF MEXICO, ATLANTIC & PACIFIC OCEANS
HELP SAVE OUR MARINE MAMMALS & THEIR OCEAN HABITAT TODAY!
A CALL TO TAKE ACTION
By Rosalind Peterson
May 11, 2012
The Washington Post (Associated Press) May 11, 2012 – Revealed today that a “New Navy study says use of sonar, explosives may hurt more marine mammals than once thought”[25]. “…HONOLULU-The U.S. Navy may hurt more dolphins and whales by using sonar and explosives in Hawaii and California under a more thorough analysis that reflects new research and covers naval activities in a wider area than previous studies…” U.S. Navy Atlantic Ocean Range Complex Exapnsion Website: http://aftteis.com/Home.aspx
The Washington Post also stated: “…The Navy estimates its use of explosives and sonar may unintentionally cause more than 1,600 instances of hearing loss or other injury to marine mammals each year, according to a draft environmental impact statement that covers training and testing planned from 2014 to 2019. The Navy calculates the explosives could potentially kill more than 200 marine mammals a year…” U.S. Navy Pacific Ocean Range Complex Expansion Website: http://hstteis.com/Home.aspx
On May 17, 2012, news reports that “Mass dolphin deaths in Peru caused by acoustic trauma” were announced by “…Dr. Carlos Yaipen Llanos of ORCA in Peru informed Hardy Jones of Blue Voice that acoustical trauma is the cause of the Mass Mortality Event (MME) that killed an estimated one thousand dolphins along the coast of northern Peru in March 2012…” [28]. This is another reason to begin to limit sonar, laser, radar, and electromagnetic weapons testing in the Atlantic, Pacific, and the Gulf of Mexico.
What do your Elected Officials Know?
In a letter to NOAA, dated June 19, 2009, several U.S. Senators, including U.S. Senator Feinstein and U.S. Congressman Henry Waxman, stated: “…In many regions, the Navy plans to increase the number of its exercises or expand the areas in which they may occur, and virtually every coastal state will be affected. Some exercises may occur in the nation’s most biologically sensitive marine habitats, including National Marine Sanctuaries and breeding habitat for the endangered North Atlantic right whale. In all, the Navy anticipates more than 2.3 million takes (significant disruptions in marine mammal foraging, breeding, and other essential behaviors) per year, or 11.7 million takes over the course of a five-year permit…”[2]
U.S. Navy Map of Proposed Range Expansions in the Pacific, Atlantic & Gulf of Mexico May 11, 2012 (Please note that the Hawaii-Southern California Ranges will be connected.) The Northwest Training Range Complex (Northern California-Oregon-Washington & Idaho), is being expanded to include the Gulf of Alaska. The Atlantic Fleet Range Map will include all existing U.S. Navy 5-Year Warfare Testing Ranges. (The U.S. Navy has now designated these ranges as “study areas” instead of 5-Year Warfare Testing Ranges. U.S. Navy Website:
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The NOAA Definition of “Take”: “Defined under the MMPA (Marine Mammal Protection Act), as “harass, hunt, capture, kill or collect, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, kill or collect.” Defined under the ESA (Endangered Species Act) as “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct…”[3]
On January 19, 2010, NOAA (Dr. Jane Lubchenco), sent a letter to Ms. Nancy Sutley, Chair, Council on Environmental Quality that states: “…In the Environmental Assessments, NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service-NOAA), also identified the relevant uncertainties regarding the impacts of the proposed training on marine mammals. Two are worth highlighting:
- One involves lack of knowledge about the mechanism whereby some species of marine mammals…are adversely affected by mid-frequency sonar.
- The other concerns the difficulties of limiting the impact of active sonar where the mitigation efforts depend on visual sighting of whales…”
Dr. Jane Lubchenco, NOAA Administrator, shortly after approving the “taking” of marine mammals in the U.S. Navy’s NWTRC (Northern California, Oregon, Washington & Idaho), made this brief statement after audience prompting, in a Meeting in Ukiah, California on December 9, 2010: “…”also an area where I have serious concerns. We are in active discussions with the Navy. There is a lot we don’t know about the impact of sonar on whales, and we will continue to get the information we need to reach the best possible outcomes…” The answer raises an obvious question: “How does NOAA approve the “taking” of marine mammals when there are still unresolved questions about the impact of sonar on whales?”
With respect to military readiness activities, the MMPA defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: “…(i) any act that injures or has the significant potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A Harassment]; or (ii) any act that disturbs or is likely to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of natural behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, surfacing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering, to a point where such behavioral patterns are abandoned or significantly altered [Level B Harassment]…training activities may expose some of the marine mammals present in the area to sound from various mid-frequency and high-frequency active tactical sonar sources or to pressure from underwater detonations..” [3]
One of the most recent, and shocking, NOAA permits allowing for the taking of thousands of marine mammals by the U.S. Navy in the Southern California Range Complex [19].Take a look at the graphs on this Navy document which lists the thousands of marine mammals that the Navy intends to “take” between 2012-2014.
U.S. Warfare Training Range History & U.S. Cooperating Agencies
Starting under the Bush Administration and continuing under the Obama Administration, twelve U.S. Navy 5-Year Warfare Testing Range Complexes, initiated between 2008 and 2012, are in full operation in the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic, and the Pacific. [7] The tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is still threatening local economies, human health, the fishing and tourism industry. The oil and Corexit pollution has been threatening this environment for years.
Adding to this ongoing problem in the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force, with permits approval by NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration), have now started another assault on this area using multifaceted warfare testing experiments that include bomb blasts, sonar use, missile exercises, and the testing of new weapons systems. NOAA has issued permits allowing the U.S. Navy to “take” marine mammals in the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans areas[4-7].
NOAA (U.S. Department of Commerce – National Marine Fisheries Service), had previously approved the “taking” of marine mammals in the Gulf of Mexico. And then NOAA, in the first few months during the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, admitted that they knew little about the marine environment in this underwater area. Now NOAA has issued permits to the U.S. Navy and Air Force for 5-Years of warfare testing in the Gulf of Mexico (December 19, 2011 [4+6-7]), and in other areas, which may exacerbate the current environmental problems in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. [4]
Using the Earth & Inhabitants as Test Subjects
Our oceans and land areas, in the Pacific, Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico along with all inhabitants, are to be used as warfare test guinea pigs without public consent, debate, U.S. Congressional hearings or any public oversight.
Drone Weapons Testing & Surveillance Over the United States & Pacific, Atlantic & Gulf of Mexico
In addition, the U.S. Navy is now working to expand their drone operations over the United States. In Oregon, a new draft Navy Environmental Impact Statement is due out this spring for public comment [9]. Drones carrying and testing bombs, new weapons systems, testing new types of drones, and surveillance over land and ocean areas are planned for our future. Compounding this issue, as reported by The Guardian.co.uk on April 2, 2012, “…American scientists have drawn up plans for a new generation of nuclear-powered drones capable of flying over remote regions of the world for months on end without refueling…” [20]. In addition, there is increasing drone surveillance leading to questions over public privacy in the U.S. Accidents are increasing as police departments in Texas and other areas are increasing drone usage [21-22].
Marine Mammal Mitigation Measures – Effective Only 9% of the Time
Mitigation measures, to protect marine mammals from sonar, are effective only 9% of the time according to NOAA & the U.S. Navy. Fish, birds, ocean habitats, feeding and breeding grounds, biologically sensitive areas, and human health, are not protected by any government agency in most areas of the Gulf of Mexico from military weapons testing. The U.S. Navy is using toxic chemicals, sonar, missile exercises, bomb blasts and other types of new weapons testing which threaten the Gulf of Mexico and many areas in the Atlantic Ocean.[7] U.S. Navy and Air Force bomb blasts could trigger earthquakes or create underwater fissures causing more oil leaks in the Gulf of Mexico. Fragile, capped, oil wells in the Gulf could be damaged and start leaking as bomb blasts rock the Gulf during the next five years of warfare testing.
Ocean Problems = Dead Zones & Military Dumping of Old Toxic Arsenals
We do know that many toxic chemicals are found in all ocean areas along with numerous dead zones(12-13). According to a New York Times article on July 20, 2010: “…The Gulf’s floor is littered with bombs, chemical weapons and other ordnance dumped in the middle of last century, even in areas busy with drilling, and miles outside of designated dumping zones, according to experts who work on Deepwater hazard surveys…”[14] In many ocean areas, including the Gulf of Mexico, military dumping of arsenals, in the past, which now reside on ocean bottom areas and contain toxic chemicals which already may be leaking, could be disturbed by these bomb blasts and other warfare testing exercises(14).
Types of Warfare Testing to be Used in Our Oceans & Over Land Areas
The Navy Warfare Testing Program will, according to their E.I.S. documents: “…utilize mid- and high frequency active sonar sources and explosive detonations. These sonar and explosive sources will be utilized during Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW) Tracking Exercises, Mine Avoidance Training, Extended Echo Ranging and Improved Extended Echo Ranging (EER/IEER) events, Missile Exercises, Gunnery Exercises, Bombing Exercises, Sinking Exercises, and Mine Warfare Training…”(8)
U.S. Navy Warfare Chemical Menu
The “Navy Warfare Chemical Menu” [6], will contaminate air, water, the ocean, and soil. Their list of toxic chemicals is a long one as noted in various Navy E.I.S documents: Depleted uranium, red and white phosphorus, cadmium, lead, perchlorate, titanium oxide, atmospheric releases of aluminum oxide (from U.S. Navy C.A.R.E. Atmospheric Experiments over East Coast of U.S. [16-17]), Chaff releases (aluminum coated fiberglass particulates), and a whole host of chemicals known to be toxic not only to man, but to marine life and fish, are being served up on this menu. In addition, highly classified weapons systems are also to be used during these 5-Year Warfare Testing Experiments over both land and ocean areas in the Pacific, Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico [7].
12 U.S. Navy 5-Year Warfare Ranges Now in Full Operation in Pacific, Atlantic & Gulf of Mexico
Many new 5-Year Navy Warfare programs are to be implemented in the near future and twelve have already been approved (between 2008 and 2012), by NOAA and are underway in the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic and Pacific Ocean areas including over land areas as new drones (carrying and testing weapons – U.S. Navy Boardman Range Complex), and surveillance systems are being tested over both land and ocean areas. [7-9]
Proposed Expansions of Existing Ranges & Proposed New Ranges
The U.S. Navy has just introduced two new very large 5-Year warfare ranges complexes in the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans which will both need permits from NOAA to “take” marine mammals [8]. Their new environmental impact statement is now online. This map for this 5-Year Warfare Range is stunning because it covers training from the state of Maine to Florida and includes the Gulf of Mexico [8C]
The new U.S. Navy Pacific Range Complex is one of the largest 5-Year Warfare ranges in the Pacific and their draft environmental impact statement is now online. The U.S. Navy Extent Map is stunning when one views the scope of the area in which U.S. Navy testing will occur [8B].
No U.S. Congressional Hearing Held on this Issue & None Planned in the Future (WHY?)
Our U.S. Senators and members of the U.S. House have refused, so far, to postpone these disastrous “takings” or hold U.S. Congressional Hearings while pretending to be ocean environment friendly in their re-election speeches. In addition to refusing to be interviewed by the press with regard to this issue (only a few exceptions), all of our elected officials have steadfastly refused to hold U.S. Congressional hearings in order to protect our marine mammals, fish, birds, endangered species, and human health.
National Cancer Institute Report: “…The military is a major source of toxic occupational and environmental exposures that can increase cancer risk…”
The U.S. Congress, NOAA, and the U.S. Navy are ignoring Chapter 5 of the April 2010, Report of the NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE – PRESIDENT’S CANCER PANEL“Exposure to Contaminants and Other Hazards from Military Sources”[11]. We do know that the U.S. Navy and the Air Force will be using toxic chemicals and other contaminants in the Gulf of Mexico and other ocean areas. We can’t afford to go forward with new forms of ocean and land contamination from these 5-Year Warfare Testing Experiments until these issues are examined. Hearings should be held by the U.S. Congress in order to protect human, and ocean health, the health of our marine mammals, and our coastal fishing industries. It is time for all of us to step up and say “NO” to the U.S. Navy and Air Force War on our oceans.
“Military Training in the Middle of Miami Jolts Residents Out of Bed” Terrifying U.S. Citizens
In other news, the U.S. Army decided that none of the hundreds of thousands of acres which all branches of the military now have to conduct warfare training was enough for “realistic training”. Thus, on May 8, 2012, the Miami Herald reported the U.S. Army scaring citizens out of their wits the following news report [24]:
“…there was the thunderous whump whump of low-flying helicopters, and even the jarring blast of explosions at the abandoned Grand Bay Hotel in Coconut Grove early Tuesday during a military training exercise that jolted many unsuspecting residents from their beds. “It was quite a shocking experience,” said Jane Muir, who was awakened around 1:45 a.m. by the sound of military choppers…”
“The show of force was so overwhelming,” she said…The maneuvers were part of a “realistic urban training” exercise…organized by the U.S. Special Operations Command, said Maj. Michael Burns, a U.S. Army spokesman…“They have to train in a realistic environment,” Burns said. “We didn’t use any real bullets,” he added…” Question: Just when will the U.S. Navy, or other branches of our military, use the excuse of “realistic practice” invade one of our coastal towns frightening local residents? This behavior is unacceptable!
TAKE ACTION TODAY TO PROTECT OUR OCEANS!
With the recent Gulf of Mexico oil spill and many areas still struggling with the aftermath, all we need now is to subject this area and the people who live there to another ecological disaster that began this year. Expanding and initiating warfare testing in more areas of the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico, will also spell disaster for millions of marine mammals, and fish, and their habitats. We do not elect to be the guinea pigs for these experiments or to have our oceans used for massive warfare testing. Say “no” today…Ask for U.S. Congressional Hearings to protect human health and our marine mammals. (Call Your Elected Officials in Washington, D.C. Toll Free: (1866) 220-0044)
Respectfully,
Rosalind Peterson, Agriculture Defense Coalition
Post Office Box 499, Redwood Valley, CA 95470
E-Mail: info@californiaskwatch.com
Website for more U.S. Navy & Air Force Warfare Testing information in the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic & Pacific. All documents, letters, and other information are located on the website below. Visit these links for the latest in Maps and Government Documents on U.S. Navy Warfare Testing:
http://www.warcosts.net/u-s-army/
http://www.warcosts.net/u-s-navy-archives/
1, USA TODAY News: “Navy Plans Could Affect More Marine Mammals” August 5, 2010
USA TODAY revealed bad news for our oceans when they published a news story titled: “Navy Plans Could Affect More Marine Mammals” on August 5, 2010 [1]. According to USA Today news article, backed up by federal documents from the U.S. Navy and NOAA: “…The Navy plans to increase ocean warfare exercises, conduct more sonar tests and expand coastal training…activities that could injure hundreds of thousands of marine mammals or disturb their habitats…”
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/environment/2010-08-05-navymammals05_ST_N.htm?csp=34news
2, Many U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, Environmental Impact Statements, U.S. Congressional Letters, and NOAA Documents regarding these 5-Year Warfare Testing programs are located on the following website: http://www.warcosts.net/u-s-navy/
3, NOAA Definition of “TAKE” and a listing of U.S. Navy & Air Force requests for permits to “take” marine mammals in the Atlantic, Pacific, and the Gulf of Mexico.
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/glossary.htm
4, NOAA Current Incidental “Take” Permit Requests & Authorizations – NOAA Website:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm
5, Eglin Air Force Base’s NEODS Training Operations LOA to NOAA – Gulf of Mexico:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/eglin_neods_loa2009.pdf
6, Navy’s Gulf of Mexico Range Complex Training Exercises LOA Application & NOAA Approval:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/gomex_loa_application.pdf
NOAA issued LOA for the U.S. Navy to take Marine Mammals in the Gulf of Mexico on March 17, 2011:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/gomex_loa_issued2011.pdf
Annual Range Complex Reports-Atlantic Ranges 2011 and 2012:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/exercisereport2011_vacapes_chpt_jax_gomex.pdf
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/monitoringreport2011_vacapes_chpt_jax_gomex.pdf
Partial Listing of Toxic Chemicals of the hundreds used in Navy Ranges: Depleted Uranium, Red & White Phosphorus, Chaff (Aluminum Coated Fiberglass Particles), Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Lead, Mercury, Manganese, Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, Naphthalene, Barium Chromate, Hydrogen Cyanide, Potassium Perchlorate, Jet & Rocket Fuel Emissions, Titanium Compounds…and more.
7, U.S. Federal Register – November 15, 2011 – Listing of All Twelve Approved U.S. Navy & Air Force 5- Year Warfare Testing Ranges: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/fr/fr76-70695.pdf
U.S. Navy Final Environmental Impact Statements-Not a Complete List:
Between January 2009 and May 2011, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), (NOAA) NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service), issued 5-year warfare testing final regulations to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to Navy training and associated activities conducted in:
- Hawaii Range Complex (HRC) http://www.govsupport.us/navynepahawaii/hawaiirceis.aspx
http://www.govsupport.us/navynepahawaii/FEIS.aspx & http://www.govsupport.us/navynepahawaii/DEIS.aspx
- Southern California (SOCAL) Range Complex Southern California Range Complex EIS/OEIS
- Atlantic Fleet Active Sonar Training Range
- Sonar Training (AFAST) Study Area
- Jacksonville (JAX) Range Complex
- Virginia Capes (VACAPES) Range Complex
- Cherry Point (CHPT) Range Complex
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD)
- Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC)
- Northwest Training Range Complex (NWTRC – Northern California, Oregon, Washington & Idaho
- Keyport Range Complex (NAVSEA NUWC)
- Gulf of Mexico (GOMEX) Range Complex Gulf of Mexico Range Complex EIS/OEIS
Gulf of Mexico Range Complex Project Documents:
- Gulf of Alaska Temporary Maritime Activities Area (GOA TMAA).
- Additionally, in February 2009, pursuant to the MMPA, NMFS issued 5-year regulations to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to U.S. Air Force (USAF) space vehicle and test flight activities from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB).
- U.S. Navy East Coast LOA May 2008: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/uswtr_loa.pdf
8, U.S. NAVY is expanding or adding new 5-Year Warfare testing ranges at a staggering rate in the Pacific, Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico:
A. Proposed New U.S. Navy 5-Year Warfare Testing Range Expansion include the NWTRC and the Alaska Range Complexes: https://nwtteis.com/
(Please note that the U.S. Navy closed Public Comment for this NWTT Range Expansion without revealing this information about their new study regarding new threats to marine mammals from sonar and bomb blasts to the public prior to the date that the public comment period expired on April 27, 2012.)
The U.S. Navy has introduced two new very large 5-Year warfare ranges complexes in the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans which will both need permits from NOAA to “take” marine mammals:
B. The one in the Pacific Ocean will connect the area between the ongoing Hawaii warfare range complex and the Southern California warfare range complex. This new U.S. Navy 5-Year Warfare Hawaii-Southern California Range Complex Training & Testing Environmental Impact Statement Notice of Intent in the U.S. Federal Register on July 15, 2010 U.S. Navy Website: http://hstteis.com/
- The U.S. Navy Public Comment Period for this Draft EIS Expired on July 10, 2012.
C. The new one in the Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico (U.S. Navy 5-Year Warfare Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing Complex/Range) is even larger than the one in the Pacific… Notice of Intent in the U.S. Federal Register on July 15, 2010 – U.S. Navy Website: http://www.aftteis.com/
- The U.S. Navy Public Comment Period for their draft Environmental Impact Statement (now online), expired on July 10, 2012.
9, U.S. Navy Boardman Range Complex Proposed Drone Test Range Expansion new EIS could be placed online at any time for public comment. The new Public Comment Deadline will be placed on the ADC Website as soon as the Navy places this information in the U.S. Federal Register.
http://nwstfboardmaneis.com/Home.aspx
10, KTVU Channel 2 Oakland/San Francisco Report on the Northern California 5-Year Warfare Testing Experiments: http://www.ktvu.com/news/19499224/detail.html
11, Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk Annual Report NCI Presidential Cancer Panel Report April 2010: http://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/pcp/pcp08-09rpt/PCP_Report_08-09_508.pdf
REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL CANCER RISK 2008-2009 ANNUAL REPORT
HISTORY & “WHAT WE CAN DO NOW”
NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE – PRESIDENT’S CANCER PANEL
See: Chapter 5 Exposure to Contaminants and Other Hazards from Military Sources
Summary: “…The military is a major source of toxic occupational and environmental exposures that can increase cancer risk.Information is available about some military activities that have directly or indirectly exposed military and civilian personnel to carcinogens and contaminated soil and water in numerous locations in the United States and abroad…Nearly 900 Superfund sites are abandoned military facilities or facilities that produced materials and products for or otherwise supported military needs. Some of these sites and the areas surrounding them became heavily contaminated due to improper storage and disposal of known or suspected carcinogens including solvents, machining oils, metalworking fluids, and metals. In some cases, these contaminants have spread far beyond their points of origin because they have been transported by wind currents or have leached into drinking water supplies.
12, July 6, 2010 Arsenic Levels Rise in Gulf of Mexico Herald Sun News
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-bad-news-for-bp-as-arsenic-levels-rise-around-gul
13, Scientific American August 15, 2008 Oceanic Dead Zones and Maps
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=oceanic-dead-zones-spread
14, The New York Times July 20, 2010 “The Gulf of Mexico Has Long Been A Dumping Site:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/30/us/30gulf.html?_r=2&th&emc=th
“…The gulf’s floor is littered with bombs, chemical weapons and other ordnance dumped in the middle of last century, even in areas busy with drilling, and miles outside of designated dumping zones, according to experts who work on deepwater hazard surveys…”
15, NOAA 2008 State of Coral Reefs Report & Information:
http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/ecosystems/coralreef/coral2008/landing.aspx
16, U.S. Navy / NASA C.A.R.E. (Charged Aerosol Release Experiment), September 19, 2009 Aluminum Oxide Dust Cloud Released Over the East Coast of the United States using a NASA Brandt Rocket: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/CARE.html
17, U.S. Navy / NASA C.A.R.E. Experiment –“…CARE’s principal investigator, Paul Bernhardt of the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington: “The CARE experiment could also pave the way for future launches that would use the uppermost part of Earth’s atmosphere as a large physics laboratory for studying charged dust…Dusty plasmas, like those that will be created in the CARE (aluminum oxide dust cloud) experiment…” No Congressional or public oversight necessary for these types of programs.
(Note: Release of Aluminum Oxide or Sulfur particles into the atmosphere to deflect direct sunlight from reaching the Earth was promoted in three U.S. House Science & Technology Congressional Hearings (2009-2010), and an AAAS Geoengineering Presentation (2010), by Geoengineering promoters David Keith & Ken Caldeira.)
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17822-artificial-cloud-created-at-the-edge-of-space
18, Groups Sue U.S. Navy Over Sonar Use off Northwest Coast
By GENE JOHNSON | Associated Press – January 26, 2012
http://news.yahoo.com/groups-sue-over-navy-sonar-off-northwest-coast-150339575.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 26, 2012 2:45 PM
“…SEATTLE (AP) — Conservationists and Native American tribes are suing over the Navy’s expanded use of sonar in training exercises off the Washington, Oregon and California coasts, saying the noise can harass and kill whales and other marine life…” Earth Justice
19, U.S. Navy Southern California Listing of Marine Mammals the want to “take” during operations in the Southern California 5-Year Warfare Testing Range between 2012-2014:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/socal_loa_application.pdf
20, The U.S. Working on New Plans to Use Nuclear Powered Drones – April 2, 2012 – The Guardian.co.uk News http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/02/us-plans-nuclear-drones/print
21, October 29, 2011 Drones in the News – United States:
22, March 5, 2012 – Texas cops hit obstacles (and their own truck) testing UAVs; drones coming anyway – High maintenance costs, frequent errors and crashes slow tests in various Texas police agencies
http://www.itworld.com/print/255830
23, Police departments Wait for FAA Clearance to Fly Drones – April 29, 2012 – McClatchy-Tribune News
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/29/147099/police-departments-wait-for-faa.html
24, Miami Herald News May 8, 2012 “Military Training in the Middle of Miami Jolts Residents Out of Bed” Terrifying U.S. Citizens
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/08/2789687/military-training-in-the-middle.html
25, The Washington Post (Associated Press) May 11, 2012 – “New Navy study says use of sonar, explosives may hurt more marine mammals than once thought”
26, MARINE MAMMAL STRANDINGS ASSOCIATED WITH U.S. NAVY SONAR ACTIVITIES April 2012:
27, The Hawaii-Southern California Range Complex Draft EIS/OEIS Home Website May 14, 2012: 17E 1 2012 Hawaii-Southern California Training+Testing Range Complex Website May 14, 2012: http://hstteis.com/Home.aspx
Public Comment Form: http://hstteis.com/GetInvolved/OnlineCommentForm.aspx
Meeting Location & Dates:
http://hstteis.com/GetInvolved/PublicMeetingLocationsandDates.aspx
28, Digital Journal News Report – “Mass Dolphin Deaths in Peru Caused by Acoustic Trauma”
May 17, 2012 – Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/print/article/325075#ixzz1vnKmJkGL
http://www.digitaljournal.com/print/article/325075
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 26, 2012 2:45 PM
“…SEATTLE (AP) — Conservationists and Native American tribes are suing over the Navy’s expanded use of sonar in training exercises off the Washington, Oregon and California coasts, saying the noise can harass and kill whales and other marine life…” Earth Justice
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http://news.yahoo.com/groups-sue-over-navy-sonar-off-northwest-coast-150339575.html
Groups Sue NOAA Over Sonar Use off Northwest Coast – January 26, 2012 (Narrow Lawsuit Covers Only Sonar Issues…does not cover bomb blasts or other new weapons testing and experiments. We need to protect all of our ocean treasures from all types of warfare testing and experiments.)
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http://earthjustice.org/news/press/2012/navy-training-blasts-marine-mammals-with-harmful-sonar
Navy Training Blasts Marine Mammals with Harmful Sonar
Earthjustice News & Video
January 26, 2012
“…San Francisco, CA — A coalition of conservation and American Indian groups today sued the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for failing to protect thousands of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions from U.S. Navy warfare training exercises along the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington…”
Contact: Steve Mashuda, Earthjustice (206) 343-7340 EXT 1027
Navy Sonar in Puget Sound – Video May 2003
In May 2003, a group of about 20 killer whales and dozens of porpoises were forced to flee the waters near the San Juan Islands after a Navy ship passed by with its active sonar blasting. The incident was captured by whale researchers from the Center for Whale Research on San Juan Island. Ken Balcomb, executive director of the Center for Whale Research, narrates this video.
Press Release BRoll – Navy Training Blasts Marine Mammals with Harmful Sonar from Earthjustice on Vimeo.
State of California Penal Code: TITLE 10. OF CRIMES AGAINST THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
The California Penal Code SECTION 369a-402c, may be of some help with regard to this issue. “…375. (a) It shall be unlawful to throw, drop, pour, deposit, release, discharge or expose, or to attempt to throw, drop, pour, deposit, release, discharge or expose in, upon or about any theater, restaurant, place of business, place of amusement or any place of public assemblage, any liquid, gaseous or solid substance or matter of any kind which is injurious to person or property, or is nauseous, sickening, irritating or offensive to any of the senses…”
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Note: AAAR Meeting 2011 – Florida – Item of Interest:
Biological Warfare Agent Slurry Droplet Methodology by TIMOTHY BAUER
U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren
Abstract Number: 64
Last modified: March 29, 2011
Working Group: Chemical and Biological Defense Hazard Assessment
Abstract
Predicting the dynamics of biological warfare agent dispersed as an aqueous slurry from a commercial-grade spraying system requires simulation of several complex processes. The resulting biological agent particles of interest are the respirable ones less than 10 microns in diameter; however, the initial slurry droplets are expected to range from 10 microns up to 500 microns in diameter. The droplet fall velocity must therefore be accounted for. The droplets will evaporate as they are carried by the wind and fall towards the ground. The rate of evaporation of a pure water droplet is a function of fall velocity, vapor pressure, and relative humidity. Biological warfare agent slurry droplets add the solution effects associated with the presence of organisms, insoluble growth media, and soluble growth media, all of which act to lower the droplet vapor pressure. The slurry droplets leading to respirable particles must be small to begin with and will evaporate within seconds under conditions of low humidity. Under moderate to high humidity conditions, though, complete evaporation will not occur. Finally, a fraction of droplets and particles reaching the ground will deposit. Only a small fraction of respirable particles reaching the ground will deposit; the rest will be carried by eddies back into the plume. This presentation discusses the methodology developed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, VA to address these processes.
[PDF] This abstract has supplementary material available. Click PDF icon to download.
Power Point Presentation: http://aaarabstracts.com/2011/upload/64.pdf
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U.S. Navy 5-Year Warfare Testing Threatens more than 11.7 Million Marine Mammals in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. Fish, birds, national marine sanctuaries, marine reserves, biologically sensitive marine habitats, and human health are not protected by NOAA or any government agency at this time.
The Atlantic, the Pacific & the Gulf of Mexico are all in harms way as the U.S. Navy, and in some cases the U.S. Air Force, have initiated multiple 5-Year Warfare multiple range testing on both land and in ocean areas.
Your coastal region, including island areas, may already have a Navy draft or final environmental impact statement online ready to be approved by the Navy and rubber-stamped by NOAA…Check the pdf files below for information regarding your coastal region or state for public comment deadlines or Environmental Impact Statement current status. Find out if there is already an ongoing weapons and sonar testing program in your region that has been approved. (Note: 5-Year Warfare Testing is taking place in Southern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Mariana Islands, and Hawaii at this time. There are sixteen 5-year U.S. Navy warfare testing programs ongoing, proposed or in full operation at this time in the Pacific, Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico.)
The U.S. Navy Map on the lower right is the next U.S. Navy 5-Year Warfare Testing Range (NWTRC), where a Final Environmental Statement has been issued and a Final ROD (Rule of Decision) was issued on October 25, 2010, to proceed forward despite thousands of filings with them against taking this action. No National Marine Sanctuaries, biological sensitive areas, marine habitats, fish, breeding and feeding habitats, birds or human health are to be preserved or protected at this time within this area from sonar use, toxic chemicals, bomb blasts, and other warfare testing.
17 1 2010-2011 NOAA+U.S. CONGRESS TO RESCIND NOAA PERMIT FOR U.S. NAVY WARFARE TESTING WHICH HARMS 32 SPECIES OF MARINE MAMMALS in Pacific Ocean by U.S. Navy 5-Year Warfare Testing-Bombs+Sonar+Toxics.pdf
NOAA issued a Permit to allow the almost unrestricted “taking” of marine mammals in the NWTRC on November 10, 2010. They also changed their rules and issued their final Letter of Authorization to the Navy on November 12, 2010, despite a “firestorm” of public comments that they have received both last year and in 2010. NOAA could not stand the public “firestorm” and rushed to issue this letter instead of waiting the normal 30 days before allowing the U.S. Navy to start their warfare testing in the NWTRC…they also decided not to protect any National Marine Sanctuaries, Marine Reserves, or Biologically Sensitive Areas within the NWTRC, marine mammals, fish, the fishing industry, the tourism industry, our coastal regions or public health.
In a Letter from several Senators including Senator Dianne Feinstein to NOAA-June 17, 2009 is the following statement:
“…In many regions, the Navy plans to increase the number of its exercises or expand the areas in which they may occur, and virtually every coastal state will be affected. Some exercises may occur in the nation’s most biologically sensitive marine habitats, including National Marine Sanctuaries and breeding habitat for the endangered North Atlantic right whale. In all, the Navy anticipates more than 2.3 million takes (significant disruptions in marine mammal foraging, breeding, and other essential behaviors) per year, or 11.7 million takes over the course of a five-year permit…”
Now the only option left for the public is to create a “firestorm of telephone calls and letters” to our U.S. Senates demanding U.S. Senate Hearings to protect all coastal regions from unlimited military testing, new warfare testing experiments using sonar, bomb blasts, toxic chemicals, and other classified and unclassified warfare techniques on or over land areas and in our oceans.
The NOAA permits allows the Navy to “take” or destroy marine mammals, their habitats, and breeding grounds during the next 5-Years without review in some cases and in others requires a review after one year. The Navy could extend their warfare program without public consent or knowledge at any time…merely by placing this information in the U.S. Federal Register or by some other method – EPA or NOAA notice of intent.
See the U.S. Navy Range Complex Maps below. Many of these areas have ongoing or “in process of approval” areas for individual 5-Year warfare testing. All of Navy environmental impact statements are online and NOAA lists the status of each of these warfare testing ranges. This is why all of us should request a NOAA extension for public comment and U.S. Congressonal Hearings from our elected representatives in Washington, D.C.
Click on image for full version, click here for pdf-version (11.6MB) for printing.
November 22, 2010 Update For the (NWTRC) Northern California, Oregon, Washington & Idaho:
U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson made this statement in a letter dated October 8, 2010:
“In that [earlier] letter I objected to the Navy’s intention to proceed with the NEPA Process while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was still in the process of conducting a comprehensive review of sonar impacts on marine mammals. This review found that “[p]rotecting important marine mammal habitat is generally recognized to be the most effective mitigation meausre currently available.” Yet without providing any specifics about why the Navy requires completely unrestricted flexibility to use any and all parts of the NWTRC, in the final EIS/OEIS, the Navy has flatly rejected proposals to consider limiting its activities in specific areas to reduce the impact on marine mammals or others species or habitats. I find it unacceptable that the Navy will not even consider some restriction on its activities to reduce its potentially significant, but in many cases largely unknown, impact on marine resources…”
Please see the documents below titled “WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY” for more information.
It is time to demand that our U.S. Senators conduct U.S. Senate hearings in order to protect these important natural resources. NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) should be required to rescind their permit allowing the Navy to harm marine mammals until their workshops to identify areas where biologically sensitive marine mammals and fish should be protected. These public workshops should be held in California and not with secret participants in Washington, D.C.
Please call their Washington, D.C. offices today at this toll free number: (1866) 220-0044 and request that our senators immediately conduct hearings to protect these vital resources. Right now NOAA is rubber-stamping the ability of the Navy to harm 11.7 million marine mammals using sonar, bomb blasts, toxic chemicals, missile exercises, new weapons technologies in the Pacific, Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico. You can take action today and protect our oceans, all marine life, and public health.
Your coastal state or island area is at risk along with human health, more than 11.7 million marine mammals, the fishing and tourism industries and some of the most biologically sensitive areas in the entire world.
17 1 NOAA Rule+U.S. Navy Issued Permit for Taking of Marine Mammals NWTRC November 10, 2010.pdf
(52MB)
17 1 2010 U.S. Navy 5-Year Warfare Final EIS NWTRC Volume II September 10, 2010.pdf (68MB)
17 1 2010 U.S. Navy 5-Year Warfare Final EIS NWTRC Volume III September 10, 2010.pdf (7MB)
17 1 2010 U.S. Navy 5-Year Warfare Final EIS NWTRC Executive Summary September 10, 2010.pdf
U.S. Congressional Hearings to protect our marine mammals are needed at this time in order to protect public health, the fishing industry, our marine mammals, birds, fish, and national marine sanctuaries from all of these U.S. Navy 5-Year Warfare testing experiments.
There are no mitigation measures that would protect our oceans from these 5-Year Warfare Testing
programs that are effective more than 9% of the time according to U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson of California…there are too many redundant programs which may be extended without public oversight or
consent once implemented. Fish, habitat, human health, toxic chemical usage and type, and bomb blasts are
not part of NOAA (NMFS), items of investigation at this time. Many of these 5-Year Navy Warfare
programs are to be implemented and several have already been approved by NOAA and deployed in Southern California and Hawaii (just two examples).
The U.S. Navy using a NASA Brandt Rocket deployed an aluminum oxide dust cloud over the Eastern United States on September 19, 2009. They intend to conduct future experiments in 2010, using our atmosphere as a physics laboratory for conducting atmospheric experiments without consideration of the environmental consequences of their actions. NASA and U.S. Navy documents are provided below in pdf form providing more information on the NAVY CARE or Charged Aerosol Release Experiment. U.S. Congressional oversight, public debate, and environmental impact statements were not initiated by the Navy nor was prior public consent or notification given in advance to the public time to consider the air pollution and human health consequences of this action or for planned subsequent actions.
KTVU Oakland/San Francisco Channel 2 News Special Report on expansion of US Navy Warfare Training Programs-May 31, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDnTcbxnLHM&feature=player_embedded
17 2010 Amazing Coral Reefs Hear – Sounds July 21, 2010 Note U.S. Navy Information on Sounds.pdf
17 1 2009 A – Navy June 19, 2009 Seven U.S. Senators Letter to NOAA – Harm to Marine Mammals.pdf
17 1 2009 Navy May 28, 2009 U.S. Congressman Thompson Press Release U.S. Navy NWTRC-NOAA Sonar .pdf
17 1 2009 U.S. Navy 5-Year Warfare Testing Range Complex Maps United States afasteis.gcsaid.com.pdf
17 1 NOAA GLOSSARY March 2009 SEE NMFS-NOAA DEFINITION OF TAKE.pdf
17 2009 Obama Launches Questionable Ocean Zoning Plan DEC 17, 2009 by Hartzell.pdf
17 2 2009 Navy HELLFIRE MISSLE Cost per missile $58,000 U.S. Military Statistics September 2009.pdf
17 2 Nuremberg Code Directives for Human Experimentation-Regulations+Ethical Guidelines.pdf
17 2 POSTER NAVY VS NATURE POSTCARD.pdf
17 1 2012 U.S. NAVY VS NATURE POSTCARD.pdf
Navy’s Electromagnetic Plane Launch | Danger Room | Wired.com December 23, 2010
This video is in three parts. You can jog the video forward to the end, which will automatically start the next part.
17L 2011 U.S. Navy Anti-Aircraft Laser Unveiled at Farnborough Airshow BBC July 19, 2010.pdf
BBC News – Anti-aircraft laser unveiled at Farnborough Airshow (video)
The Phalanx Close-in Weapon System. (Credit: Raytheon) July 21, 2010
(PhysOrg.com) — An infrared laser developed by Arizona company Raytheon Missile Systems has been demonstrated shooting down incoming drones over the ocean off the coast of California. “…The two video of the demonstrations, taken at an off-shore US Navy test range 120 km west of Los Angeles, was released on July 19th, 2010, at the biennial International Air Show at Farnborough in the UK. The 32-kilowatt solid-state laser was mounted on a warship gun turret and was shown blasting a remotely piloted unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) until it caught fire, lost control, and plummeted into the sea. In all, four UAVs were shot down in the seagoing tests…”
http://www.physorg.com/news198904016.html
U.S. Navy/NASA (CARE) Charged Aerosol Release Experiment – NASA Brandt Rocket Launch
September 19, 2009 – Aluminum Oxide Dust Cloud Released Over the East Coast of the United States.
Ocean Holocaust!Special ReportKTVU Channel 2 News reports on expansion of US Navy Warfare Training Program Lethal Sounds – “Deafeningly loud sonar is a proven danger to marine life and its use throughout the world’s ocean is spreading. This powerful NRDC movie, ‘Lethal Sounds’ makes it plain what sonar does to whales caught within its range, and explains how whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals should and can be protected from deadly sonar activities.” NRDC. Narrated by Pierce Brosnan. |
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Rosalind Peterson Speaks Out at Rally to Stop Navy Warfare Testing Program-Along with Other Demonstrators like Susan Nutter (OPC), and Meredith Smith (Mendocino Cafe).
May 8, 2009: Rosalind Peterson attended the rally in Fort Bragg, CA in front of U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson’s Office. Demonstrators Presented Congressman Thompson with petitions from throughout California, and other states, protesting the expansion of the Navy Warfare Testing Program in the Pacific Ocean and the “taking” or killing of 11.7 million marine mammals during this 5-Year testing program. Sonar and bomb blast will begin off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California in 2010 or 2011 if no action is taken. The Agriculture Defense Coalition thanks everyone involved in this effort over the past 18 months.
Meredith Smith, Mendocino Cafe owner, has been engaged in stopping these Navy warfare testing plans since February 2009. She traveled to Washington, D.C. to lobby members of the U.S. Congress against this Navy assault on our ocean environment and human health. She has worked tirelessly on this issue and has spearheaded grassroots mailings, other campaigns, and demonstrations against these experimental programs to protect our marine mammals, the fishing and tourism industry, and our threats to public health and our environment. (Mendocino County, California)
Susan Nutter and the Mendocino County Ocean Protection Coalition have also been engaged in working to stop these redundant and unnecessary warfare testing programs. Susan and the OPC has initiated demonstrations, petition drives, working groups, and other actions to bring about public awareness and opposition to these U.S. Navy Warfare Testing plans not only the Pacific Ocean but for those in the Atlantic, and in the Gulf of Mexico. Without the support of the Mendocino County Ocean Protection Coalition and members like Susan Nutter few people would have known what was happening in our oceans and have initiated actions to protect those areas. (Mendocino County, California)
The issue was covered by KTVU Channel 2 News:
Rumor Mill Radio –
Rosalind Peterson talks about the Navy Warfare Testing Program …that Kills marine life. On Rumor Mill Radio April 2, 2009.
U.S. Navy – Environmental Issue. Click on photo to start video.
The following TV program discussing the U.S. Navy Warfare Testing which is proposed in the NWTRC Environemtnal Impact Statement. The Humboldt County, California Board of Supervisors took action on this issue at their meeting on October 19, 2010. This Channel 3 News report is a good one to watch as it tells the story and also expresses the feelings of many residents of this county.
Non-professional YouTube video of the rally:
March 22, 2012 CBC News Canada-Article+Video
Some U.S. scientists believe a killer whale that washed up off the coast of Washington last month might have been killed by a military explosion.
The three-year-old female orca was a member of L-pod, a group that lives in Canadian waters during the summer months. The killer whale’s carcass washed ashore at Long Beach, Wash., Feb. 11, 2011, A necropsy found the marine mammal died from highly unusual injuries. ‘Chances are some other whales got killed, too,’—Marine scientist Ken Balcomb
“The entire body showed evidence of massive blunt trauma, some sort of pressure wave that was very blunt in nature not the pointed bow of a ship or anything,” said Ken Balcomb, senior scientist at the Center for Whale Research at Friday Harbour, Wash., about 15 kilometres east of Victoria.
Balcomb suspects the animal was killed by an explosive device, one of 96 the U.S. Navy deployed in the area in 2011.
“I suspect she died in U.S. waters. And probably from an explosion,” Balcomb said. “We’re seeking information about what explosions at least the navy would be aware of.” He said he’s worried that ongoing naval exercises could wipe out entire pods, including the fewer than 90 orcas that make up the endangered resident population in the southern end of Georgia Strait and in Juan de Fuca Strait, between Vancouver Island and Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.
Seals also killed.B alcomb said 38 seals died from similar injuries last year, and he says a final body count from L-Pod won’t be known until it returns to the Juan de Fuca Strait in July. “Chances are some other whales got killed too,” said Balcomb.
The scientist said he hopes an investigation by the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service will get access to the Navy’s classified documents on its activities. However, a spokesperson for the U.S. Navy denies it conducted any exercises using explosives in the area in February.
The Royal Canadian Navy told CBC News it did use sonar in the Strait of Juan de Fuca Feb. 6, but that no marine mammals were in the area at that time. But some environmentalists are not satisfied.
“We’d like the navy to release the data on what they were doing,” said Jay Ritchlin, of the David Suzuki Foundation. “We’d also, basically, just like them to understand and acknowledge that this is a critical habitat for these whales and should be designated as off limits for this kind of sonar training.”
With files from the CBC’s Lisa Johnson and Lisa Cordasco
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/03/21/bc-whale-explosion-death.html?cmp=rss&utm_source=Sightline+Newsletters&utm_campaign=e0745b8cb3-SightlineDaily&utm_medium=email
U.S. Navy Fiscal 2013 Budget Request – U.S. Senate Hearing
C-SPAN Broadcast – March 15, 2012
U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officials testified on the fiscal year 2013 Navy budget. Senators on the Armed Services Committee questioned plans to change the force structure of the Marines, as well as to reduce the size of the Navy fleet and investments in bio fuels.
Drones Coming To A Sky Near You As Interest Surges
By MARCUS WOHLSEN April 1, 2012 – Huffington Post: “…The use of drones in the U.S. by law enforcement and other government agencies has privacy advocates on edge…Drones are the signature weapon of U.S. wars in the 21st Century…”
ADC Note: This technology is an easy way for law enforcement or anyone to spy on citizens without their consent or knowledge. They can also carry listening and other high tech devices…The U.S. Navy now has drone ranges in Oregon and other areas which support their 5-Year Warfare Testing Ranges like Navy’s NWTRC (Northwest Training Range Complex), operating in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Navy Website: http://nwstfboardmaneis.com/Home.aspx
Dolphin deaths mystery in Peru – video
Guardian.co.uk News – February 10, 2012
Hundred of dead dolphins have washed up on a 66-mile stretch of coastline 500 miles north of Lima. Officials are not sure how the mammals died, but believe they may have been hunted. The Peruvian Sea Institute has taken samples to study in a laboratory. The institute also found dead anchovies in the sea, which may have poisoned the dolphins
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Panel-Discusses-Domestic-Drones-and-Privacy/10737429618-1/
Washington, DC
Wednesday, April 4, 2012 – C-SPAN Video
“…The Brookings Institution hosted a discussion on a bill signed into law in February that opens U.S. Airspace for unmanned aircraft, or drones. The discussion focused on the privacy, safety and national security implications of unmanned aircraft, including how local law enforcement might use the drones, how to ensure safety in the crowded U.S. airspace and how to prevent use of the aircraft by domestic and international terrorists. The Panel consisted of Kenneth Anderson, Professor of Law at the Washington College of Law at American University; Catherine Crump, Staff Attorney for the Speech, Privacy & Technology Project of the ACLU; Paul Rosenzweig, a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation; and John Villasenor, Professor of Electrical Engineering at UCLA.Updated: Wednesday at 3:41pm (ET)…”
February 27, 2012 – U.S. Navy ONR – A test shot fires from the Office of Naval Research-funded Electromagnetic Railgun prototype launcher located at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. The test shots begin a month-long series of full-energy tests to evaluate the technology. This prototype, developed by BAE, is the first of two industry-built launchers that will bring the Department of the Navy a step closer to producing a new-generation, long-range, weapon for surface ships.
Sen. Carl Levin: Counterfeit military parts pose ‘significant safety risk’ CNN News – May 22, 2012 – “…Because of a recent surge of counterfeit military parts– such as pieces of equipment used in aircrafts– the Senate Armed Services Committee has adopted new legislation to change the procedural laws for buying new or refurbished parts. Senator Carl Levin joins Starting Point this morning to explain the details of the new law, which he has been working on alongside Sen. John McCain. Levin explains that the news laws say that parts can only be bought from contracted, authorized distributors or certified suppliers and dictates that suppliers will be responsible for their own repairs. Regarding the threat posed by the counterfeit parts, Levin explains that the problem occurs almost exclusively with equipment produced in China, and poses a “significant” safety threat to the nation….”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-16538062
Sonar Heard Underwater – BBC NEWS
January 13 2012 “…Listening stations on the seabed all over the world are streaming sound in real time to websites that anyone can access, allowing people to hear everything from male humpback whales singing off Hawaii, to last year’s Japanese earthquake. _Conscious of security, the US Navy has brokered a deal with scientists in the north Pacific which allows the navy to delete any sounds of US or Canadian military shipping before the audio is sent out across the internet. _ It now wants to do similar deals with other scientists around the world, but some experts say that is both improbable, and in this new age of internet accessibility, unreasonable. This is the sound of a sonar system in operation, best known for being used by submarines to determine the position, nature and speed of objects under the water…”