Judge says ocean sound blasts need not be halted
A federal judge says he will not grant New Jersey's request to halt federally funded scientific research that includes blasting the ocean floor with sound waves.
The research by scientists with Rutgers University and the other schools began July 1.
Gov. Chris Christie's administration says it was not granted an adequate opportunity to evaluate the plan, but Judge Peter Sheridan on Tuesday disagreed.
Sheridan said he would order the blasts to stop for one day if the state notifies him that it intends to appeal.
Some environmentalists have argued that the blasting could hurt marine mammals and fisheries.
A federal government lawyer says there will not be any long-term harm to sea life because of the study of sediments deposited at the seafloor.
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