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Tell the Navy Not to Conduct Weapons Testing in Vital Marine Life Habitats
  1. Signatures
    1,286 out of 1,500
    Petitioning
    1. Public Affairs (+ 1 other)
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      • Public Affairs
      • Chief of Naval Operations (Admiral Gary Roughead)
  2. Created By
    R E
    Minneapolis, MN
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

Plans to extend the Navy's weapons testing and training area have been put into motion. Upon recent approval by the Obama Administration, marine life  could face dangers once weapons testing begins.

The new area will include waters off the coast of California all the way north to Washington. 

Dumping of hazardous materials, such as depleted uranium and ammunition rounds, worry groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Orca Network. The fragile marine environment is not the place for waste products from weapons testing.

Underwater minefields and use of sonar are among other concerns the groups have.

150 orcas call Puget Sound home, and according to the Orca Network, the pod is, "very susceptible." The use of sonar could disrupt the pod's ability to navigate, communicate and could even affect reproduction rates.

It has been proven that sonar pulses drive at least one species of whales away from feeding grounds and cause changes in diving patterns.

Early in March, at least three dolphins were killed due to the Navy's underwater blasting exercises. Even while proper safety procedures are taken, marine life can still be fatally injured.

With the environment and marine life at stake, tell the Navy not to conduct its testing in sensitive marine habitats.

Photo credit: winkyintheuk

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Please Conduct Weapons Testing Away From Crucial Marine Ecosystems

Greetings,

I am writing you to voice my opposition against the recent plan to expand the Navy's weapons testing area that will include the waters of California, Oregon and Washington.

Weapons testing and training cannot coincide peacefully with the environment and marine life. The area included in the expansion is home to a pod of 150 orcas and many other species.

The possibility of hazardous wastes, such as depleted uranium, ammunition rounds and chromium compounds, entering the ocean will certainly be disastrous to the fragile ecosystem. Underwater minefields cannot possibly be friendly to marine life.

Furthermore, the use of mid-frequency sonar could disrupt the orcas' natural ability to navigate, communicate and negatively affect reproduction rates. Sonar blasts have been proven to drive whales away from feeding grounds and create changes in diving patterns.

Lastly, scientists believe there is a link with the use of sonar pulses in military training and testing activities to the stranding of over 25 whales.

As you know, at least three dolphins died as a result of a March 4 exercise involving underwater blasting. Even with proper precautions, it is never a guarantee that no harm will come to marine mammals.

Please reconsider the plan to expand the testing area into waters rich with vital marine life, and move testing sites away from crucial habitats.

Thank you.

[Your name]

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