PRESS STATEMENT--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--March 8, 2001 CITIZEN ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS
TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST TRIDENT SUBMARINE BASE
A 60 day notice has been filed against Naval Submarine Base, Bangor (SUBASE, Bangor). Violations of the Endangered Species Act arise from the Navy's rework of the base for the TRIDENT II (D-5) missile upgrade without prior consultation under Section 7(a) of the ESA. "The recent listing of various Puget Sound salmon stocks as threatened species has impacted virtually all activities taking place near valuable salmon habitat," reports Greg Wingard, Executive Director of Waste Action Project, and member of a coalition of organizations filing notice. "It borders on the absurd that common everyday citizens are being required to modify their activities in order to assist the protection and recovery of salmon, yet the Navy moves ahead with its activities without consultation or environmental review," says Wingard. According to the notice letter, the Navy has never consulted with fish and wildlife agencies nor prepared an environmental impact statement analyzing the full impacts of its proposal to bring the more powerful TRIDENT D-5 missile to SUBASE, Bangor. This includes, but is not limited to, the impact from an accidental detonation or explosion of the TRIDENT D-5 missile from accidental or intentional mishandling during the transportation, storage, handling, loading or unloading process. According to Dave Mann, Seattle environmental attorney representing the coalition: "The Navy has a duty to disclose the full impacts of its D-5 missile program and to take action to reduce or eliminate threats to salmon and the Puget Sound environment." A 60 day notice is required in the Endangered Species Act (ESA) before the filing of a citizens' suit in federal court. Plaintiffs listed in the 60 day notice include a coalition of three peace and three environmental organizations which include: Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, Washington Environmental Council, Waste Action Project, Cascadia Wildlands Project, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, Peace Action of Washington, and individuals, Mary Gleysteen and Glen Milner. For a complete copy of the 60 day notice: Please call (206) 365-7865 (voice) or e-mail gkaajm@juno.com
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