International Coalition Sues US DoD to Protect Japanese Manatee

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International Coalition Sues US DoD to Protect

Japanese Manatee

 

From Earthjustice

Friday, September 26, 2003

 

Contact: Brian Smith, Earthjustice, 510-550-6700

 

San Francisco, USA/Okinawa, Japan - A coalition of

conservation groups from both sides of the Pacific

filed a lawsuit (Okinawa Dugong v. Rumsfeld C-03-4350)

in US District Court here today against the US

Department of Defense over plans to construct a new

heliport facility on a coral reef on the east coast of

Okinawa, Japan. Conservationists are concerned that

the proposed 1.5-mile-long airbase to be built on

reclaimed land over a coral reef would destroy the

remaining habitat of the endangered Okinawa dugong, a

cultural icon of the Okinawan people.

 

This lawsuit asks the US Department of Defense to

comply with the National Historic Preservation Act

(NHPA) by conducting a complete public analysis to

assess the impacts of the proposed project on the

Okinawa dugong (a relative of the manatee, also known

as seacow). The NHPA requires agencies of the US

government to conduct a full public process before

undertaking activities outside the United States that

might impact the cultural and natural resources of

other nations.

 

At issue is the proposed relocation of the existing US

Futenma Air Station in Okinawa to the coastal area of

Henoko. This area on the eastern coast of Okinawa is

the site of sea grass beds upon which the Okinawa

dugong depend for their food.

 

" The American military base planned on this coral reef

threatens the survival of the Okinawa dugong and

should be reconsidered, " said Takenobu Tsuchida of the

Dugong Network Okinawa. " We are glad our friends in

the United States have joined our efforts to preserve

an essential icon of Okinawan culture. "

 

Peter Galvin, Pacific Director of the US-based Center

for Biological Diversity stated, " This population is

considered the most isolated and imperiled dugong

population in the world. The Okinawa dugong is so

threatened that it has been classified as being nearly

extinct. " Galvin added " Scientists believe that only

50 dugong survive in the waters off Okinawa. This

project, if constructed, would very likely drive the

Okinawa dugong into extinction. "

 

" The United States must be sensitive to Japan's

national treasures, as well as international

obligations to protect the environment. The dugong has

a rich history and holds a special place in Okinawan

mythology and culture, " said Takaaki Kagohashi, Japan

Environmental Lawyers Foundation. " The people of

Okinawa deserve respect for their cultural and natural

heritage just as Americans would expect government

agencies to protect their natural treasures. "

 

The coalition bringing the lawsuit include, US

Plaintiffs: Center for Biological Diversity and the

Turtle Island Restoration Network and four Japanese

groups: Dugong Network Okinawa, Save the Dugong

Foundation, Committee Against Heliport Construction -

Save Life Society, and the Japan Environmental Law

Federation. Earthjustice represents all the

plaintiffs.

 

The Dugong, an Okinawan Cultural Icon

 

The waters off Okinawa are the northern-most home of

the dugong. The Okinawa dugong is a genetically

isolated marine mammal listed by the government of

Japan since 1972 as a " Natural Monument " under Japan's

" Cultural Properties Protection Law. " Since 1955, the

dugong was protected as a cultural monument by the

autonomous Ryukyu Prefecture due largely to its status

as a revered and sacred animal among native Okinawans.

The Okinawa dugong is also listed under the US

Endangered Species Act.

 

" For Okinawans, the dugong compares only to the

American bald eagle in terms of cultural and

historical significance, " said Takuma Higashionna from

the Okinawa-based, Save the Dugong Foundation. " The

myth of the mermaid comes from sailors who saw the

dugong. Historically, Okinawans believe the dugong to

be a friendly harbinger of sea disasters such as

tsunamis. "

 

" Living here in Yambaru for seventeen years, " said Ms.

Anna Koshiishi, an individual plaintiff in the case,

" I have learned many important things from nature. All

life on the Earth has close connection and plays an

important role. Every life is indispensable to keep

the balance of this connection. To save Okinawa

dugong, which is a globally threatened species, is to

save my own life. "

 

US Duty to Protect International Historic Resources

 

The National Historic Preservation Act is

international in scope. It establishes a policy that

" the Federal Government, in cooperation with other

nations, " will " provide leadership in the preservation

of the prehistoric and historic resources of the

United States and of the international community of

nations. " Congress added Section 402 to NHPA in 1980

to comply with US obligations under the World Heritage

Convention and to mitigate the adverse effects of

federal undertakings abroad.

 

" Given the obvious impacts on the dugong and its

habitat from construction of the new base, the

Department of Defense should consult with Japanese

environmentalists and Japanese cultural officials in a

fully public process before moving ahead with this

project, " said Martin Wagner of Earthjustice, who is

representing the coalition in the United States.

 

" With a globalizing economy, environmental issues have

become borderless, " said Kagohashi of Japan

Environmental Lawyers Foundation. " Not a few

environmental problems need to be addressed by

international collaboration. This cooperation between

the Japan and US environmental organizations and

environmental lawyers illustrates this new style of

international collaboration. We believe wildlife and

human beings live in one big house called the Earth.

Dugong's name as a plaintiff in this case will show

how we are all connected. "

 

Editor's Notes:

Read the lawsuit online here:

http://www.earthjustice.org/news/documents/9-03/dugongcomplaint.pdf

 

Photos of the dugong are available for web or print

use here. (Please credit: Suehiro Nitta)

Low Resolution (Web)

http://www.earthjustice.org/news/pics/intl/dugong_lores.jpg

High Resolution (Print)

http://www.earthjustice.org/news/pics/intl/dugong_hires.tif

 

 

 

 

 

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