Navy Proceeding With Contested Sonar Range
The Navy is moving ahead with plans to build a 500-square-mile sonar training range 50 miles off the coast of North Carolina, officials said.
The project has sparked fierce opposition from environmentalists who say some of the world’s most endangered whales and sea turtles pass through the area.
The Navy published its draft environmental impact statement Friday and will begin a series of public hearings on the proposal next month.
Planning for the $99-million range has been going on for about 10 years, but environmental challenges and concern that the sonar may harm protected marine mammals have held up the process.
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