NOAA

Your organization was began in 1807 when the first scientific agency was established, dedicated to the sciences and protecting life on earth. Since then, NOAA has done much work in various fields in the scientific community to help and support projects. Yet recently your organization has not been keeping to your standards. You have been ignoring valid research which supports the fact that sonar technology brings harm to much marine life. The US Navy has gone against all laws set forth to protect our earth, which you agency is meant to control, without any fear of punishment. It is a disgrace that such behavior has been allowed to continue under your watch.
Quoted on your website is the statement, “NOAA and a number of partners in other agencies and academia are striving to understand these issues more fully and to identify the most effective way to mitigate adverse effects of active sonar operations
while balancing important national security needs”. Yet this is not evident in the recent actions of supporting the US Navy in their use of sonar. More time and effort needs to be reserved for the research of the effects of sonar on marine life. It is up to your organization to lead the fight against the harming of innocent animals.

NDRC

I am here to give my great appreciation for your actions if trying to stop the use of sonar technology. The US government and the Bush administration has allowed unlimited testing of the technology with little regard to its effects on marine mammals. It is understood that sonar technology is imperative to our nation’s defense yet the technology needs to be controlled.
It is a known fact that sonar can cause great damage to the auditory systems of these animals yet the Navy continues to disregard this fact. In 2000, the Secretary of the Navy, Robert Price admitted to CNN that they knew the sonar testing was the cause of death of the whales in the Bahamas. I believe the government does not do enough to regulate this. It is upsetting to think that our nation’s leaders have complete and utter disregard for a beautiful species like the whale. It is up to organizations like you to defend a population not capable to protect itself.
It is time for our nation to come together and stop more atrocities like the event in the Bahamas from happening. Greater time and effect needs to be put into researching various other methods for detection of submarines in water. Until then, the effects of such technology needs to be completely understood before more use can continue.

US Navy

It is understood that sonar technology is imperative to the U.S. defense system. Yet, this sonar technology is known to have detrimental effects on marine life including whales and dolphins. Your agency and other agencies, including NATO have recognized the fact that loud noises can hurt the auditory systems of these animals which can lead to death. The issue of using sonar technology off the southern coast of California needs to be fully examined before the training and other training times can commence.
The notion that a government agency can go against a law set forth to regulate their actions is unbelievable. This practice of voiding laws because they do not fit an organizations schedule is crazy. It is known that sonar is useful in the defense of U.S. waters but certain measures should be taken to ensure the safety of wildlife in the area. Such measures would include the detection and location of animals in the area. In January of 2008, you were ordered to stop use of sonar within 2,200 yards of an animal sighting yet it is a known fact sonar can travel hundreds of miles. The effort of your agency to protect these animals is minimal, and quite frankly disgraceful.
There have been many known instances of animals being harmed when close to a loud noise source. I believe that it is our nation’s job as a world leader to set an example and lead the way for the protection of the animals in our world’s oceans.

NDRC Helps to Stop the Use of Active Sonar

NDRC, National Research Defense Council, has recently helped the organization known as the Ocean project, to persuade a judge to rule in favor of stopping the use of active sonar. The judge ordered the Navy to work with various organizations to discuss the protective measures needed to help protect the world's oceans. For more information, go to this website:

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2007/2007-01-24-02.asp

This article discusses the Navy's recent actions in going against a federal law (The Marine Mammal Protection Act) and using sonar anyways. I think it is good that the NDRC was able to sue the Navy for its use of the sonar. Just because they are a government agency does not exempt them from the law.

NOAA Works with Navy to Continue Dangerous Sonar Use

The organization known as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, was set up to help protect our world's oceans. Yet recently, NOAA has been seen working with the US Navy, allowing the continued use of the dangerous technology known as LFA sonar. NOAA has ignored instances where altered behavior in marine mammals off teh coasts of Hawaii and California. For more information:

http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2006/07/08/news/news02.txt

Wood, Charlotte. "The Garden Island." Kaui World. 7 July 2006. 16 Apr. 2008 .

This piece analyzes the use of sonar in the Pacific Rim near Hawaii. After reading this article, I became aware of the Navy's desire to continue use of sonar and how they feel it's use is imperative to our nation's defense. I am happy that the government has issued for the Navy to take greater measures in protecting the animals in their natural habitat. I think it is important for people to recognize the importance of keeping these animals safe.

President Bush Exempt Navy from Environmental Law

Last Wednesday, President Bush exempted the Navy from following environmental law set up to limit the use to active sonar in US waters. He gave the Navy permission to use the technology know to cause harm to marine mammals in the waters off Southern California. To read more, visit this website:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20080116/navy-sonar/

Recently, President Bush has been allowed to continue use of sonar, going against a law which he was previously forced to follow. I think it is ridiculous that the President is allowed to hide behind the illusion of constant fear without any knowledge of the determental effects of sonar on marine life.

Schwartz, Noaki. "Bush Exempts Navy From Environmental Law." Huffington Post. 16 Jan. 2008. 16 Apr. 2008 .

Effects of Sonar on Marine Mammals

Rhetorical Appeals

Ethos:
1. Marine mammals are beautiful!!
2. Events have occurred in the US and nearby (the Bahamas)
3. Involves the US government and Navy- are they trustworhy?
Pathos:
1. Description of consequences from sonar
2. Seperation of juveniles from parents
3. Stopping of singing by humpback whales
Logos:
1. Specific statistics inclduing numbers of whales affected
2. Description of LFA technology
Ethos/Pathos
1. Lots of facts, statistics, and studies to back up the points
Pathos/Logos
1. LFA is louder than Jet engine