NGOs Sue Navy Over Sonar Again
On May 16, 2007, five environmental and conservation NGOs filed suit in federal court in Hawaii against the Navy and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The NGO plaintiffs include the Center for Biological Diversity, and they are represented by Earth Justice.

Their complaint challenges proposed Navy undersea warfare exercises near Hawaii over the next two years. The NGOs allege that the Navy's use of sonar in these twelve exercises may "kill, injure, or significantly alter the behavior of whales and dolphins."

The NGOs further allege that the Navy has not yet complied with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, with regard to these proposed exercises.

Among other relief, the NGOs seek a court order requiring the Navy to perform a full Environmental Impact Statement before beginning the twelve exercises.