VENTURA : Caution Urged for Navy Offshore Blasts

The Ventura City Council late Monday unanimously passed a resolution asking the Navy to use caution while conducting underwater explosives testing because of a threat of injury or death to marine mammals.

The resolution--believed to be the first of its kind in the county--asks the Navy to use caution during its “ship shock” testing of its new Aegis-class warships in waters about 65 miles west of the Channel Islands.

The Navy is scheduled to begin testing in the area the week of April 4, pending discussions with the National Resources Defense Council and other prominent environmental groups. Navy officials had wanted to start the program this month, but postponed action until they could address concerns about the safety of the area’s marine mammals.

Local environmentalists hailed the Ventura resolution, saying it will support their efforts to protect seals, sea lions, dolphins, migrating whales and other marine mammals living in the test zone.

Alan Alpers, a Point Mugu Navy official who attended the council meeting, also praised the resolution, saying the Navy wants to address the environmental concerns.

The Navy’s testing procedure will involve detonating underwater explosives, some as large as 10,000 pounds. But before each test, extensive aerial surveys of the area will be done to check for marine mammals. If any are sighted, the tests will be moved or delayed, officials said.

The Ventura action comes several days after Navy officials declined to exercise a National Marine Fisheries Service permit, which would allow them to begin testing. However, on Tuesday Navy officials said they are looking at the week of April 4 to possibly commence the ship-shock program.

In the meantime, Navy officials said they will meet Thursday with National Resources Defense Counsel lawyers in Los Angeles in an attempt to reach a compromise on the danger posed to marine mammals by the tests.