Navy Sonar Use Blocked To Protect Ocean Life

A federal judge blocked certain sonar tests the Navy had planned near Southern California out of concern that the frequencies being used would damage the hearing of marine creatures, causing whales to beach themselves or become disoriented.

The Defense Department had allowed the Navy to bypass the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act because of national security concerns. Environmental groups sued, and a federal judge blocked the testing until those concerns are heard in court.

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