United States Supreme Court
Winter v. Natural Res. Defense Council, Inc., 07-1239
In an action brought by environmental groups claiming that the Navy's use of a particular type of sonar during training exercises in the waters off southern California causes serious injuries to marine mammals, a preliminary injunction against the Navy is vacated to the extent requested where: 1) although the Court does not discount plaintiffs' ecological, scientific, and recreational interests in marine mammals, such interests are plainly outweighed by the Navy's need to conduct realistic training exercises to ensure that it is able to neutralize the threat posed by enemy submarines; and 2) consequently, the district court abused its discretion in imposing the restrictions at issue on the Navy.
Appellate Information
- Decided 11/12/2008
- Published 11/12/2008
Judges
Court
- United States Supreme Court