[CPEO-MEF] Military Begs Exemption From Environment Laws

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Military Begs Exemption From Environment Laws
By ELIZABETH SHOGREN Los Angeles Times 
Published: Apr 20, 2002

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is seeking to restrict protections 
for marine mammals as part of a sweeping proposal to exempt the military 
from key provisions of environmental legislation. 
The Pentagon's proposed changes to six landmark environmental laws were 
presented to Congress in briefings Thursday. Draft legislation was 
delivered to Capitol Hill on Friday evening. Members of Congress begin 
drafting the defense authorization bill next week. 

The Marine Mammal Protection Act forbids - with certain exceptions - 
harassing, hunting, capturing or killing whales, dolphins or any other 
marine mammals. 

Environmentalists charge that the Pentagon's proposal would dilute the 
definition of ``harassment'' so much that the National Marine Fisheries 
Service would find it difficult to regulate military activities that 
affect marine mammals. The changes also would make it harder for 
citizens and environmental groups to sue the military for endangering 
marine mammals. 

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://tampatrib.com/nationworldnews/MGA0MESZ80D.html

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