"Feds Approve Navy's Sonar Training; Environmentalists Sue Over Whales"

"SAN DIEGO -- The Navy's five year-plan to use sonar in training exercises off Southern California and Hawaii was approved Monday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration."

"But several environmental groups, anticipating the approval, immediately filed a lawsuit in Hawaii federal court to block the training on grounds that the underwater noise poses an unacceptable threat to marine mammals.

NOAA, after a review by its fisheries division, concluded that the promised mitigation measures by the Navy will 'minimize effects on marine mammals.'"

Tony Perry reports for the Los Angeles Times December 16, 2013.