An environmental group that wanted the Navy to use precautions during sonar testing off the California coast says it's disappointed in a U.S. Supreme Court decision lifting restrictions. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has details.
The U.S Supreme Court voted 5-to-4 to lift restrictions on the Navy's use of sonar in training exercises.
The ruling says lower courts abused their discretion by limiting the practice.
A Los Angeles judge had previously ruled the Navy was not exempt from environmental laws that protect marine mammals.
Daniel Hinerfeld is with the Natural Resources Defense Council.
He says the group continues working with the Navy to find ways to protect marine life during testing.
Hinerfeld:
There is no question that high-intensity sonar causes damage to marine mammals and in fact can damage whole populations of marine mammals.
Hinerfeld says the Navy could monitor for marine mammals during exercises and not test when mammals are nearby.
The Navy uses high-power sonar off the coast to train sailors to identify hostile submarines beneath the Pacific.
Testing is expected to resume next month.
Ed Joyce, KPBS News.
