Dozens attend hearing on sonar training in Virginia Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH

The Navy conducted the first of a series of public hearings Tuesday night on the draft environmental impact statement for its Atlantic Fleet sonar training.

The meeting, held at Tidewater Community College's Advanced Technology Center, brought out about three dozen members of the public, six of whom spoke.

The Navy has argued that active sonar training is necessary to properly train its fleet against mines and ever quieter diesel submarines. Its use of sonar has became a concern to many environmentalists, who worry about its effect on marine mammals. The Navy says its training will include provisions to mitigate any such effects.

The purpose of the draft environmental impact statement is to evaluate the potential effects of using mid- and high-frequency active sonar and improved extended echo ranging systems during training in the Navy's current operating areas along the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico.

The draft statement offers four options:

-- Designate fixed, active, year-round sonar areas that would minimize environmental effects while still meeting operational requirements.

-- Designate fixed areas, as above, but use them seasonally.

-- Designate "areas of increased awareness" via the environmental analysis used for the first two alternatives, and refrain from using active sonar within these areas.

-- Continue with present procedure, meaning the Navy would conduct active sonar testing within its current operating areas without designating special areas to either avoid or work within. This is the Navy's preferred option.

The speakers on Tuesday were all appreciative of the Navy's safeguards, but urged it to be as cautious and transparent as possible.

Ellis James of Norfolk asked the Navy to balance the need to protect the country with protection of both the marine life and the coastal economies that depend on them.

"If we have increased intensity of sonar in training, then we have to step up our ability to protect marine mammals," he said. "If the Navy were to comply with all these things, it would ease my mind."

Debora Mosher of Norfolk said she hoped the Navy would learn from past mistakes

"Sometimes the Navy doesn't estimate its impact correctly and that's why I'm concerned," she said. "Please be honest with the public. If there is a problem, please do not keep it from us."

Susan Barco, of the Virginia Aquarium's stranding team, asked the Navy to continually collect and analyze new data on marine life and not rely on older, less complete studies.

Ron Asher, of Virginia Beach, offered the evening's most passionate plea, accusing the Navy of escalating "its war" on whales and dolphins by "blasting them with incomprehensible sonic sound levels" and asking that Navy limit its sonar use to times of "true emergency."

Tuesday's public hearing was proceeded by an open house where Navy officers and civilians manned stations on various aspects of sonar training, from the Navy's need for the technology to protective marine measures.

The Navy expects to spend $14 million to 18 million for research over the next several years on species distribution, mitigation and the effects of sound.

People who did not attend the hearing are encouraged to submit written comments by March 31. They can be mailed to Naval Command, Atlantic Division, Attention: Code EV22 (Atlantic Fleet Sonar Project Manager), 6506 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23508-1278 or faxed to (888) 875-6781. The draft statement is available online at http://afasteis.gcsaic.com A CD with an electronic copy of the statement is available upon request.

Similar hearings will be held in the coming weeks at cities along the Eastern seaboard from Jacksonville, Fla., to Boston.

Reach Matthew Jones at (757) 446-2949 or matthew.jones@pilotonline.com