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TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2002

The Department of Defense wants certain exemptions from environmental laws, citing post-September 11 concerns.

The laws include the Endangered Species Act; the Clean Air Act; the Marine Mammals Protection Act, which affects whales hunted by Alaska Natives; the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; which affects golden and bald eagles and other protections. The department says the laws are hindering military readiness and training.

In some cases, the government has been forced to stop military training due to environmental concerns. Native Hawaiians were prevailing in a lawsuit regarding bombing near sacred sites but settled the case after September 11.

Puerto Ricans on the island of Vieques oppose training there for environmental and other reasons.

Get the Story:
Pentagon Seeks Release From Environment Laws (The Washington Post 4/30)

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Native Hawaiians, Army reach agreement (10/9)
Federal judge blocks Army training (7/19)
Fighter pilot training ground resisted (6/28)
End to Vieques bombing defended (6/28)
Bombing resumes on Vieques (6/19)
Vieques protests set to resume (6/18)
Bush says Vieques bombing will stop (6/14)