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Defenders in Action: Military Dodges Wildlife Laws
New legislation may mean tougher times for mammals at sea and rare animals on land. Congress recently granted the U.S. military partial exemptions from laws that protect whales, dolphins and other marine mammals, as well as endangered terrestrial species. The action, part of a $401-billion defense bill, will permit potentially dangerous harassment of these creatures by naval sonar and other military activities.
The bill amends the Endangered Species Act to exempt the military from making critical habitat designations for rare wildlife in certain circumstances. It also lowers protection for activities considered harassment of sea life, as defined by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
“Independent studies have shown that environmental protection laws do not harm national security or military readiness,” says Mary Beth Beetham, legislative director at Defenders.
