Navy to do environmental impact study for Hawaii training plans

The Navy will conduct an environmental impact statement analysis of its plans to increase training around Hawaii.
The study will look how the Navy's use of sonar during exercises affects marine mammals around the islands and how other Navy activities impact the environment.
"It's any and all Navy training in Hawaii," said Tom Clements, spokesman at the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Kauai's Barking Sands.
The Navy intends to hold public meetings around the state next month to gather input on what issues need to be addressed.
Many environmentalists oppose the Navy's use of active sonar to practice hunting submarines, saying the technology may hurt whales and other marine mammals.
The Navy says its sailors adopt measures to protect marine mammals when they train with sonar.
Earlier this summer, environmental groups sued the federal government to challenge the Navy's use of mid-frequency sonar during July's Rim of the Pacific war games off Hawaii.
The sonar portion of the exercises was delayed three days until the two sides agreed the Navy would adopt some additional steps to protect marine mammals.
The environmental impact statement study will analyze how having three aircraft carrier strike groups training around Hawaii at the same time would affect the environment.
It will also look at how an increased training tempo would influence the islands.
A draft environmental impact statement is expected to be completed by May and a final document is scheduled for early 2008.
The Navy plans to hold public meetings on the issue on Maui, Oahu, the Big Island and Kauai from Sept. 13-18. The Navy will also accept remarks from the public through Oct. 13 for possible inclusion in the draft environmental impact statement.
On the Net:Navy Hawaii Range Complex Environmental Impact Statement page:http://www.govsupport.us/navynepahawaii/hawaiirceis.aspx