There’s quite a lot happening on the sonar front as of late. After a federal judge finally and triumphantly imposed a strict set of rules on the Navy’s use of mid-frequency sonar off the coast of Southern California, the Bush Administration attempted, in the name of the ever-vexing “national security”, to nullify the protections. The case has since been returned to the district court for consideration where a federal judge has kept part, but not all, of the original restrictions.

The Navy will have to maintain a 12 nautical-mile no-sonar buffer zone along the coast, and between some islands, as well as provide monitoring and training to watch for marine animals during exercises. However, the Navy is currently not required to shut off sonar if marine mammals are detected within 2,000 meters, nor are they required to shut off sonar during surface ducting conditions.

While it’s not surprising that there rests a consistent tug of war over the Navy’s need to train and the need to protect valuable marine life, the situation remains frustrating, confusing, and left with surprisingly little attention outside of environmental circles. For those looking to learn more about the entirety of the issue please read this interesting and kind of kick-ass article by Peter Canby.