HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 155 Draft 01 2000-2002 COI~I`I`~ O~ ~I.~`I ~'`A,T`E O~ I-.I.AI`I
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A RESOLUTION OPPOSING TIIE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S DEPARTMENT
OF THE NAVY'S PROPOSED DEPLOYMENT OF SURVEILLANCE TOWED ARRAY
SENSOR SYSTEM LOW FREQUENCY ACTIVE (SURTASS LFA) SONAR
WHEREAS, the United States Navy is requesting a Letter of Authorization from
the National Marine Fisheries Service under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
in order to facilitate its proposed Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS)
Low Frequency Active (LFA) sonar program; and
WHEREAS, the Navy states that the proposed SURTASS LFA sonar program
would meet the need for improved detection of foreign submarines, thereby providing the
Navy with adequate time to react to, and defend against, submarine warfare; and
WHEREAS, during employment, the proposed SURTASS LFA sonar system
would introduce low-frequency acoustic signals into .the world's oceans that could
potentially affect marine life; and
WHEREAS, the protection of whales and other marine mammals is of great
concern to the citizenry of the County of Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, the protection and preservation of the ocean and the marine mammals
that inhabit the ocean are of great cultural and historical significance in Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, the scientific and environmental communities are virtually unanimous
in their opposition to the SUP.TASS LFA sonar program because of its questionable
national security benefits and the hazards it presents to marine mammals; and
WHEREAS, according to the Navy's own test results, certain low frequency sonar
levels may have harmfial effects on humans who swim or dive in nearby waters; and
WHEREAS, the protection of marine life in Hawai`i's waters is not just an
ecological, biological, or cultural concern, but also a matter of economic necessity because
a healthy ocean environment is an engine that drives Hawai`i's visitor-driven economy;
and
WHEREAS, the County of Hawaii intends for this resolution to express its
opposition to the proposed deployment of the SURTASS LFA sonar.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE
COUNTY OF HAWAII that it hereby opposes the United States Navy's proposed
deployment of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS) Low Frequency
Active (LFA) sonar program unless and until scientific evidence can establish that no
harmful effects will result from the program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council requests that the National Marine
Fisheries Service reject the United States of America Department of the Navy's application
for a Letter of Authorization to deploy the SURTASS LFA sonar.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be transmitted to
President George W. Bush, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Senator Daniel K. Inouye,
Representative Neil Abercrombie, Representative Patsy T. Mink, Governor Benjamin
Cayetano, Mayor Harry Kim, the Secretary of the Commerce, the Secretary of the Navy,
the Secretary of Defense, and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Dated at , Hawaii, this day of , 200 2 .
INTRODUCED BY:
OUNCIL ME~BER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawaii AYES NQFs ABS Ex
Hilo, HaWal`1 ARAKAKI
CHUNG
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by ELARIONOFF
The vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the JACOBSON
County of Hawaii on
LEITHEAD-TODD
PISICCHIO
ATTEST: SAFARIK
TYLER
YAGONG
Reference: C-449/PW&IRC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO.