U.S. Airbase in Okinawa Dugong Habitat on Hold

[Bonobo]

Source: Environment News Service

SAN FRANCISCO, California, January 24, 2008 (ENS) - The seagrass habitat of the endangered Okinawa dugong is safe from the U.S. Department of Defense, at least for the next 90 days. The sea mammal, cousin to the Florida manatee, will continue to swim in Henoko Bay off the Japanese island of Okinawa in the place where the United States plans to build an airbase.

A federal judge in San Francisco Wednesday ruled that the Department of Defense, DOD, is in violation of the National Historic Preservation Act for failing to consider the impacts of a new airbase on the dugong in order to avoid or mitigate any harm.

The dugong is significant in Okinawan culture. It is associated with traditional Okinawan creation mythology, and is sometimes considered to be the progenitor of the local people. Because of its cultural significance, the dugong is listed as a protected "natural monument" on the Japanese Register of Cultural Properties.

The lawsuit was brought by three individual Japanese citizens, six American and Japanese environmental associations, and the Okinawa dugong, which is listed as a plaintiff in court documents.


Read more: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2008/2008-01-24-02.asp

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Terrific news, but needs to be watched.

[Bigmack]

1. See Chalmers Johnson's book, Nemesis,

for an excellent discussion of the plethora of unnecessary, un affordable US overseas bases, especially in Asia - specifically in Okinawa. Ms Bigmack

[Barrett808]

2. Nice, hopefully this will hold up beyond 90 days. n/t

[Hand]

3. I wouldn't mind being descended from these...

[Okinawa]

4. Wow

Thanks I have been looking for information about this.