Petition to Stop the Proposed Navy Warfare Testing Program Expansion & The Killing of 32 Species

Dear President Barack Obama,

Given your determination to change the course of policies in the United States of America, as well as all the initiatives and proposals for change, made by you during your presidential campaign, particularly the intention of increasing environmental care, we ask you the same about U.S. Navy warfare testing over the oceans.

In this sense, we write to you with the following request:

Petition to Stop the Proposed Navy Warfare Testing Program Expansion and The Killing of 32 Species of Marine Mammals Over 5 Years in The Pacific Ocean

U.S. Department of Commerce - NOAA Definition: "TAKE" Defined under the MMPA as "harass, hunt, capture, kill or collect, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, kill or collect." Defined under the ESA as "to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct."

 

Whereas, a wide variety of marine mammals have already died due to Navy Warfare Testing of Weapons currently underway in the Hawaiian Islands, the Mariana Islands, the Pacific Ocean off the coastline of Oregon, Washington, Southern California, and other areas where testing is now conducted in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans;  

Whereas, the Navy proposes to expand its NWT Range Complex warfare testing range to encompass more land areas of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California and the Pacific Ocean;
(http://www.nwtrangecomplexeis.com/Documents.aspx Navy Environmental Impact Statement)

 Whereas, many chemicals, like depleted uranium, used in this program are toxic to humans, marine mammals, all wildlife, and birds;

 Whereas, the Navy has violated NEPA laws by not informing the majority of the citizens of the United States about this program;  

Whereas, the Navy admits that there are severe declines in some marine mammal populations;  

Whereas, the Navy will "take", harm, maim or kill approximately 2.3 million marine mammals per year over five years;  

Whereas, the Navy will disrupt the fishing and whaling tourist industry near some of their weapons test areas in the Pacific Ocean, including the Mexican Whale Sanctuary;  

Whereas, there are sensitive marine areas in the Pacific Ocean which need to be preserved and protected;  

Whereas, oil smog, red phosphorus, white phosphorus (which is toxic to humans and marine life), and other military chemicals such as ammonia, propane, benzene, methane (the most powerful gas greenhouse) and heavy metals like mercury, lead, chromium, cadmium, uranium and depleted uranium (the latter is considered a dangerous radioactive waste derived from nuclear plants), all of these highly toxic and damaging agents can move out of control and pollute the oceans and coastal areas, not only in the US but also other countries, hence, international fisheries and marine ecosystems will be severely affected;

Whereas, bomb blasts in the Pacific Ocean, and sonic booms over land areas could trigger earthquakes (sonic booms have caused damage to homes in the past, in California and other states);
 
Although these tests are done in your country, we must take into account the nature of the oceans, which are dynamic and interconnected by  marine currents and weather; thus, effects in the medium and long terms also will fall on other nations and ecosystems throughout the world.

For these reasons, we, the undersigned, demand that the Government of the United States take immediate actions to halt the expansion of these tests in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the "taking" of marine mammals.

We also ask that NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Department of Commerce stop any attempt by the Navy to "take", maul, breaking damage or kill marine mammals in the Pacific Ocean, as they represent a major part in the world's biodiversity.

Sincerely,