[CPEO-MEF] Military Seeks Exemptions on Harming Environment

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

Military Seeks Exemptions on Harming Environment
By JENNIFER 8. LEE

WASHINGTON, March 5 — The Defense Department is asking for broad
exemptions from environmental regulations in an expanded version of a
bill that was defeated last year in the Senate.

The proposed legislation, introduced today by the White House, would
give the military more discretion in activities that affect marine
mammals and endangered species. In particular, the military is asking
for exemptions from sections from the Marine Mammal Protection Act,
which officials said would give needed flexibility to sonar and
underwater bombing exercises.

In contrast, the last version of the bill gave limited exemptions for
small numbers of marine mammals in specified regions. Environment groups
have criticized military sonar exercises over the last several years for
beaching whales, in a few cases because of burst eardrums.

In a modification of last year's version, this bill also gives limited
influence for the secretary of the Department of the Interior, who
oversees wildlife protection, in reviewing military plans that would
affect endangered species.

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