[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 101 (Friday, July 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NAVY'S NORTHWEST TRAINING RANGE COMPLEX

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 8, 2011

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I submit a copy of an 
amendment that I had hoped to introduce during the debate of H.R. 2219, 
the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2012. However, I have 
learned that this important amendment would have been subject to a 
point of order and not be made in order.
  My amendment would bar any funds in H.R. 2219 for the purposes of 
expanded training activities in the Navy's Northwest Training Range 
Complex (NWTRC). Once the Navy receives a new letter of authorization 
from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), taking 
into account marine mammal ``takes,'' my amendment would then allow the 
Navy to use funds from this bill to expand their training operations in 
the NWTRC.
  The Northwest Training Range Complex is a region of extraordinary 
biological diversity. It covers over 120,000 square nautical miles, 
spanning from Washington's border with Canada to waters off of my 
district in Northern California.
  The Navy has used the NWTRC for training for the past 60 years. 
However, in October 2010, the Navy was permitted to expand training in 
the NWTRC that among other things involves increased use of mid-
frequency active sonar.
  As a military veteran, I strongly believe that sailors must have the 
training and experience they need to defend our country. However, I 
also believe that the Federal Government should follow science-based 
measures that will protect marine ecosystems and wildlife when the 
military pursues this necessary training.
  Unfortunately, the use of mid-frequency active sonar is known to 
negatively impact marine mammals, especially toothed whales. And, its 
impact on many other fish species is not known.
  NOAA conducted a comprehensive review of measures currently available 
to prevent harm to marine mammals from the use of sonar. One of the 
main findings of this review was that the most effective way to 
minimize impacts on marine mammals would be to protect important 
habitat, and NOAA is now coordinating a working group specifically to 
identify these areas within the NWTRC, also known as ``marine mammal 
hot spots.''
  I have worked aggressively with constituents in my district to raise 
these issues to the Navy; however our concerns were simply dismissed 
without being addressed. In fact, the Navy has not been willing to 
consider avoiding or even limiting their training activities in 
specific areas that have been known to be heavily populated by marine 
mammals and other species and habitats, to reduce the impact of sonar 
training exercises on them.
  That is why I wanted to introduce this amendment--to guarantee that 
these serious and scientifically valid concerns are actually considered 
and addressed before the Navy moves forward with their plans of 
expanding training activities in the NWTRC.
  It is important to note that this amendment is not about stopping 
Navy training altogether, that some argue would negatively impact our 
national security and military readiness. Instead this amendment is 
about requiring the Navy to be more deliberate when moving forward to 
expand training range activities that would undoubtedly impact local 
marine habitat.
  I am disappointed that this important amendment was going to be ruled 
out of order. However, I wanted to once again put on record my concerns 
about this expanded training and its impact on marine mammals and 
sensitive marine habitat. I will continue to work with stakeholder to 
address this important issue.

    Amendment to H.R. 2219, as Reported Offered by Mr. Thompson of 
                               California

       At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the 
     following:
       Sec. __. None of the funds made available by this Act may 
     be used for Navy training activities in the Northwest 
     Training Range Complex beyond the number enumerated in the 
     ``No Action Alternative'' of the Final Environmental Impact 
     Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement for the 
     Northwest Training Range Complex until a letter of 
     authorization issued pursuant to section 101(a)(5) of the 
     Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)) 
     and covering the second year of training activity under 
     subpart M of part 218 of title 50, Code of Federal 
     Regulations, expires or is superseded.

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