the final SOCAL exercises, the Navy will continue to train while applying a number of mitigation measures set forth by a National Defense Exemption and additional requirements imposed by the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), and other mitigation measures ordered by the District Court that were not challenged by the Navy. These measures were established in cooperation with NMFS and the CEQ, and since they were instituted in January 2007, no marine mammal strandings have been linked to the United States Navy use of sonar anywhere in the world. The Navy will continue to employ successful mitigation measures. "We are pleased with the Supreme Court's decision on this case of vital importance to our national security. We will continue to train realistically and certify the Sailors and Marines of our Navy strike groups in a manner that protects our nation's security and the precious maritime environment," said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead. The Navy expects to complete an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for all training activities on the Southern California Range Complex early next year. Starting in January, the Navy's decision on this EIS will provide full environmental compliance
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for all training activities on the SOCAL range complex, including training with MFAS. The Supreme Court decision does not affect the completion of the EIS and efforts to obtain required letters of authorization and biological opinions which will set the mitigation measures to be observed in the future.
Marine Technology Reporter 11
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