The Navy cannot be exempted from a sonar ban off Southern California, a federal judge ruled.President George Bush signed a waiver in January exempting the Navy and its anti-submarine warfare exercises from a preliminary injunction that created the no-sonar zone. The Navy’s attorneys argued in court last week that the president was within his legal rights.

“We disagree with the judge’s decision,” White House spokesperson Tony Fratto said. “We believe the orders are legal and appropriate.”

Environmentalists have fought the use of sonar in court, saying it harms whales and other marine mammals.

“It’s an excellent decision,” said Joel Reynolds, attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, which is spearheading the legal fight. “It reinstates the proper balance between national security and environmental protection.”

The Navy last week wrapped up a training exercise by the carrier strike group of the USS Abraham Lincoln in which sonar was used. There are currently no task force training exercises off the coast of California using sonar.

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