Statement in Support of Banning Expanded Training Activities in the Navys Northwest Training Range Complex
July 8, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I submit a copy of an amendment that I had hoped to introduce during the debate of H.R. 2219, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2012. However, I have learned that this important amendment would have been subject to a point of order and not be made in order.
My amendment would bar any funds in H.R. 2219 for the purposes of expanded training activities in the Navy's Northwest Training Range Complex (NWTRC). Once the Navy receives a new letter of authorization from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), taking into account marine mammal "takes," my amendment would then allow the Navy to use funds from this bill to expand their training operations in the NWTRC.
The Northwest Training Range Complex is a region of extraordinary biological diversity. It covers over 120,000 square nautical miles, spanning from Washington's border with Canada to waters off of my district in Northern California. The Navy has used the NWTRC for training for the past 60 years. However, in October 2010, the Navy was permitted to expand training in the NWTRC that among other things involves increased use of mid-frequency active sonar.
As a military veteran, I strongly believe that sailors must have the training and experience they need to defend our country. However, I also believe that the Federal Government should follow science-based measures that will protect marine ecosystems and wildlife when the military pursues this necessary training. Unfortunately, the use of mid-frequency active sonar is known to negatively impact marine mammals, especially toothed whales. And, its impact on many other fish species is not known.
NOAA conducted a comprehensive review of measures currently available to prevent harm to marine mammals from the use of sonar. One of the main findings of this review was that the most effective way to minimize impacts on marine mammals would be to protect important habitat, and NOAA is now coordinating a working group specifically to identify these areas within the NWTRC, also known as "marine mammal hot spots."
I have worked aggressively with constituents in my district to raise these issues to the Navy; however our concerns were simply dismissed without being addressed. In fact, the Navy has not been willing to consider avoiding or even limiting their training activities in specific areas that have been known to be heavily populated by marine mammals and other species and habitats, to reduce the impact of sonar training exercises on them. That is why I wanted to introduce this amendment--to guarantee that these serious and scientifically valid concerns are actually considered and addressed before the Navy moves forward with their plans of expanding training activities in the NWTRC.
It is important to note that this amendment is not about stopping Navy training altogether, that some argue would negatively impact our national security and military readiness. Instead this amendment is about requiring the Navy to be more deliberate when moving forward to expand training range activities that would undoubtedly impact local marine habitat. I am disappointed that this important amendment was going to be ruled out of order. However, I wanted to once again put on record my concerns about this expanded training and its impact on marine mammals and sensitive marine habitat. I will continue to work with stakeholder to address this important issue.
My amendment would bar any funds in H.R. 2219 for the purposes of expanded training activities in the Navy's Northwest Training Range Complex (NWTRC). Once the Navy receives a new letter of authorization from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), taking into account marine mammal "takes," my amendment would then allow the Navy to use funds from this bill to expand their training operations in the NWTRC.
The Northwest Training Range Complex is a region of extraordinary biological diversity. It covers over 120,000 square nautical miles, spanning from Washington's border with Canada to waters off of my district in Northern California. The Navy has used the NWTRC for training for the past 60 years. However, in October 2010, the Navy was permitted to expand training in the NWTRC that among other things involves increased use of mid-frequency active sonar.
As a military veteran, I strongly believe that sailors must have the training and experience they need to defend our country. However, I also believe that the Federal Government should follow science-based measures that will protect marine ecosystems and wildlife when the military pursues this necessary training. Unfortunately, the use of mid-frequency active sonar is known to negatively impact marine mammals, especially toothed whales. And, its impact on many other fish species is not known.
NOAA conducted a comprehensive review of measures currently available to prevent harm to marine mammals from the use of sonar. One of the main findings of this review was that the most effective way to minimize impacts on marine mammals would be to protect important habitat, and NOAA is now coordinating a working group specifically to identify these areas within the NWTRC, also known as "marine mammal hot spots."
I have worked aggressively with constituents in my district to raise these issues to the Navy; however our concerns were simply dismissed without being addressed. In fact, the Navy has not been willing to consider avoiding or even limiting their training activities in specific areas that have been known to be heavily populated by marine mammals and other species and habitats, to reduce the impact of sonar training exercises on them. That is why I wanted to introduce this amendment--to guarantee that these serious and scientifically valid concerns are actually considered and addressed before the Navy moves forward with their plans of expanding training activities in the NWTRC.
It is important to note that this amendment is not about stopping Navy training altogether, that some argue would negatively impact our national security and military readiness. Instead this amendment is about requiring the Navy to be more deliberate when moving forward to expand training range activities that would undoubtedly impact local marine habitat. I am disappointed that this important amendment was going to be ruled out of order. However, I wanted to once again put on record my concerns about this expanded training and its impact on marine mammals and sensitive marine habitat. I will continue to work with stakeholder to address this important issue.
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