The US Navy has attempted to cooperate with environmentalists
in the development and testing of their new sonar system. To even be
allowed to research the possible effects of their system, they
were required to receive the approval of several different agencies.
According to David A Tarnas (a member of the Hawaiian House of
Representatives, and Chairman of their House Committee on Ocean
Recreation and Marine Resources), the following things were necessary
before the Navy was allowed to conduct tests of their system:
| Scientific Research Permit : A permit to take Marine Mammals (in this sense "take" refers to a degree of harassment, not to removal or fatalities). Specifically, permit #875-1401 with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). This permit allowed the Navy a degree of harrassment of a limited number of Marina Mammals (and sea turtles) for scientific study between the months of February and April, 1998. |
| State Consistency Review : Provided by the Coast Zone Management Program Office, this review looks at how the environment and coastal activities will be affected by the testing. The review had no veto authority over federal projects, but did recommend that Allen Tom from the National Marine Sanctuary be involved in the process. |
| Scientific Collecting Permit : Issued by the state, from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) chaired by Mike Wilson. At the time of our correspondence with Mr. Tarnas, it was still unclear as to whether or not this permit will be required as it was unclear as to whether or not it applies to this particular type of testing. The US Navy and its scientific team met with DLNR staff on February 23rd and 24th, 1998 in order to settle this matter. |