Sonar and Whales

* I’m convinced that the U.S. government has lost its collective mind. Forget election 2000. According to “We Need Sound Sensibility on California’s Coast” (Commentary, Dec. 6), the U.S. Navy intends to deploy a sonar system described as “one of the loudest man-made sound sources ever deployed” that is “billions of times more intense than the level known to disturb large whales.” Oh yeah, and whales are beaching themselves in the Bahamas, caused by a nearby “active” sonar Navy battle group.

That the California Coastal Commission (or any coastal authority) would even consider approving the use of such a destructive device is outrageous. If this type of sonar essentially kills large whales (by destroying their hearing), it certainly must be deadly to other marine life. I would rather live in a constant state of fear than to ever use this technology. I don’t even want to consider the amount of time and tax dollars that have been wasted on technology that must never be used. Enough is enough.

ANN M. DOTY

Marina del Rey

* I doubt the beached whales in the Bahamas will tell the Navy scientists that their plans to flood thousands of miles of ocean with intense sonar sound in order to detect enemy subs are poor thinking environmentally. What is an ocean empty of whales when national security is the issue? Besides, the system’s boosters have too much of their careers and budgets tied into making the proposed system (which other scientists say will also reveal the location of our own subs) a reality.

Denial is so much easier. Just as it was for government scientists disputing the global effects of U.S. industry on greenhouse gases and the hole in the ozone.

SUVAN GEER

Santa Ana