Bush overrides law on Navy sonar use

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush invoked his constitutional right Wednesday to exempt the Navy from a federal law prohibiting the use of sonar in coastal exercises.

Earlier this month, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruled the Navy's use of mid-frequency active sonar in training exercises was not in compliance with the Coastal Zone Management Act designed partially to protect dolphins and whales, which are highly sensitive to sonar.

While Bush was wrapping up a Middle East tour in Egypt, the White House issued a statement exempting the anti-submarine warfare training during Southern California Operating Area Composite Training Unit Exercises and Joint Task Force Exercises.

"Compliance ... would undermine the Navy's ability to conduct realistic training exercises that are necessary to ensure the combat effectiveness of carrier and expeditionary strike groups," the White House statement said. "This exemption will enable the Navy to train effectively and to certify carrier and expeditionary strike groups for deployment in support of world-wide operational and combat activities, which are essential to national security."