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Problem

The Bush administration gave carte blanche to the Navy to use a powerful low-frequency sonar to detect enemy submarines but which environmentalists fear will harm whales, dolphins and other marine mammals.

Quick Info

Intense low-frequency sonar can travel several hundred miles at ear-shattering decibel levels.  Environmentalists' fears are partly based on the Navy's deployment of a powerful mid-range sonar in March 2000 during a submarine detection exercise in the deep water canyons of the Bahamas where at least 16 whales and two dolphins beached themselves on the islands of Abaco, Grand Bahama and North Eleuthera within hours.  Eight whales died.  Scientists found hemorrhaging around the brain and ear bones, injuries consistent with exposure to damaging loud sounds.  Twelve Cuvier beaked whales beached themselves in Greece during NATO exercises in 1996 using the low-frequency sonar, although nobody even studied the bodies to determine the cause of death.

What you can do to help

Send an email to President Obama regarding the use of low-frequency sonar.  Feel free to use the email form letter provided or better yet, re-write it in your own words. Public opinion can and does effect public policy and general attitudes over time.  Be a part of the solution and let your voice be heard.  If you'd rather FAX the White House, their FAX number is (202) 456-2461

Your Name:     (Required to be counted as unique!) Your E-mail:     (Required to get your acknowledgement) President Barrack H. Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Obama, I understand your predecessor has given a term carte blanche for the Navy to use intense low-frequency active sonar which travels hundreds of miles at ear-splitting decibel levels as part of the effort to fight terrorism. While I fully support a responsible war on terror, I cannot support the destruction of marine life. Environmentalists fear this is a grave danger to marine life partly based on the aftermath of the Navy's deployment of a powerful mid-range sonar in March 2000. During a submarine detection exercise in the deep water canyons of the Bahamas, at least 16 whales and two dolphins beached themselves within hours. Fully half of the beached whales died. Scientists found hemorrhaging around the brain and ear bones, injuries consistent with exposure to damaging loud sounds. Twelve Cuvier beaked whales beached themselves in Greece during NATO exercises in 1996 using the low- frequency sonar, although nobody even studied the bodies to determine the cause of death in that case. Please consider reversing this policy of green-lighting everything under the sun in the name of war on terror! Look into the actual effectiveness of low-frequency sonar. At the very least, commit to fully enforcing the no-use zones around critical marine life habitats. Let's not terrorize our oceans! This planet survives because and only if they do! Sincerely, Don't forget to sign your name at the bottom so you are counted!

NOTE:  When your email is received by the White House, an auto-response will be returned to the email address that you supply.

PLEASE NOTE:  I fully support a responsible war on terrorism, but not a war that involves questionable technology that very likely poses a grave and deadly danger to ocean mammals.

Urge your representatives in Washington to oppose any legislative language which exempts the Department of Defense from provisions of environmental protection!

See how US elected officials vote on issues at C-Span.