OrcaLab News - April 26, 2001 LFAS Public Hearings this Week!

Hello everyone,

The US National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is holding 3 public hearings this week on the US navy's request for a permit to "take" (harrass, injure or kill) marine mammals as a consequence of deploying LFAS Low Frequency Active Sonar).

These hearings are the only chance members of the public have to express opinions about the madness of LFAS in person. Please be there if you possibly can!

Here are the venues & times of the hearings:

April 26, Los Angeles, California
protest 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
hearing 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
the Renaissance Hotel
9620 Airport Boulevard (near LAX)

April 28, Honolulu, Hawaii
hearing 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
the Marriott Waikiki Beach Hotel
2552 Kalakaua Avenue

May 3, Silver Spring, Maryland
hearing 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
the Auditorium of Silver Spring Metro Center Building 4
1301 East-West Highway

L.A. DEMONSTRATION:

Earth Island Institute and Los Angeles-based Eco-Link are planning a peaceful demonstration just before the Los Angeles public hearing. The demo is scheduled for Thursday, April 26th from 4 PM to 6 PM in front of the Renaissance Hotel, 9620 Airport Boulevard (near LAX) in Los Angeles. (The hearing is in the hotel from 6 PM to 9 PM.) Please plan to arrive at 4 PM and help carry signs, banners, and inflatable dolphins.
Attendees are invited to contact Mark Palmer of Earth Island Institute by 3:00 on April 26 (Just ask for his room number when you get to the Renaissance Hotel.) Protest starts at 4:00. Bring signs if you can!

Maryland hearing attendees are invited to contact Marsha Green, President,
Ocean Mammal Institute, at the Days Inn at 8040 13th Street, Silver Spring,
MD (Reservation phone # 1-800-329-7466) and join with the OMI contingent and
show your support.

Note that if you cannot attend the meetings in person, there is still time to send in written comments on the Navy's application. The deadline for written comments is May 18th. Here is where to send them (letters only, emails not accepted):

Donna Wieting, Chief
Marine Mammal Conservation Division
Office of Protected Resources
National Marine Fisheries Service
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226.
FAX:301-713-0376

Here is an excellent background story on LFAS:
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/10/science/10WHAL.html

Please act on this... we cannot possible understate the importance of convincing NMFS to deny or defer the US Navy's request, as this will at least delay the deployment of LFAS.

With thanks & our best wishes to you all,

Paul & Helena