Post by ferryfast admin on Sept 11, 2007 11:50:19 GMT -5
Environmentalists Attack Superferry's Whale Plans
Judge Expected To Hear 4 Days Of Testimony
POSTED: 9:15 pm HST September 10, 2007
UPDATED: 9:34 pm HST September 10, 2007
www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/14087865/detail.html
WAILUKU, Hawaii -- Environmentalists began their attacks on Hawaii Superferry's environmental protection plans in a Maui court on Monday.
The Superferry wants a judge to allow it to use Kahului Harbor while its impact is studied. If the judge agrees, whales will die, critics said.
Despite its lack of an official environmental assessment, the state and Superferry officials said more has been done to protect the environment from the vessel than any other interisland vessel. The state said it hopes Judge Joseph Cardoza agrees.
"What we hope, and what we are asking for, is that the Superferry can be running while the environmental assessment is continued," Deputy Attorney General William Wynhoff said.
"The point is to show there is going to be some harm," said Isaac Hall, attorney for the environmental groups.
The environmental groups' first witness was a marine biologist who attacked Superferry's whale protection plan despite the promise to avoid high population areas in season.
"They are seen all around the islands. There are no fences out there. There are no barricades," marine biologist Hannah Bernard said.
Bernard claimed that Superferry has no plan to protect whales other than humpbacks, monk seals, or sea turtles.
If the judge agrees to let Superferry use the pier, he could also place restrictions to protect the environment. For example, he could impose a speed limit to protect whales.
"To maximize safety for both the humpback whales as well as the passengers it should be 10 knots or less. That's the magic number," Bernard said.
That number is less than half the speed Superferry plans in whale areas. The state said the witness does not have the qualifications or the data to say that.
"There are dozens, if not hundreds of ships in the islands going well over 10 miles an hour," Wynhoff said.
The judge is expected to take four days of testimony from both sides. He has extended Superferry's Maui ban on a day-by-day basis.
Judge Expected To Hear 4 Days Of Testimony
POSTED: 9:15 pm HST September 10, 2007
UPDATED: 9:34 pm HST September 10, 2007
www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/14087865/detail.html
WAILUKU, Hawaii -- Environmentalists began their attacks on Hawaii Superferry's environmental protection plans in a Maui court on Monday.
The Superferry wants a judge to allow it to use Kahului Harbor while its impact is studied. If the judge agrees, whales will die, critics said.
Despite its lack of an official environmental assessment, the state and Superferry officials said more has been done to protect the environment from the vessel than any other interisland vessel. The state said it hopes Judge Joseph Cardoza agrees.
"What we hope, and what we are asking for, is that the Superferry can be running while the environmental assessment is continued," Deputy Attorney General William Wynhoff said.
"The point is to show there is going to be some harm," said Isaac Hall, attorney for the environmental groups.
The environmental groups' first witness was a marine biologist who attacked Superferry's whale protection plan despite the promise to avoid high population areas in season.
"They are seen all around the islands. There are no fences out there. There are no barricades," marine biologist Hannah Bernard said.
Bernard claimed that Superferry has no plan to protect whales other than humpbacks, monk seals, or sea turtles.
If the judge agrees to let Superferry use the pier, he could also place restrictions to protect the environment. For example, he could impose a speed limit to protect whales.
"To maximize safety for both the humpback whales as well as the passengers it should be 10 knots or less. That's the magic number," Bernard said.
That number is less than half the speed Superferry plans in whale areas. The state said the witness does not have the qualifications or the data to say that.
"There are dozens, if not hundreds of ships in the islands going well over 10 miles an hour," Wynhoff said.
The judge is expected to take four days of testimony from both sides. He has extended Superferry's Maui ban on a day-by-day basis.