The United States Navy has welcomed a biological report indicating its proposed training plans will not jeopardise endangered species in the Northern Marianas.
Pagan Island Photo: Supplied
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Fisheries report says 'accidental kills' estimated by the Navy will not destroy the animals or their habitats.
The US Mariana Islands Training and Testing Project Manager, John Van Name says the report backs up a lot of the work already done by the Navy.
Mr Van Name says it also includes mitigation procedures that will be used when conducting sonar detection or mine detonation exercises.
He says this will include specialist lookouts for marine life and stand-downs if any is present.
Mr Van Name says the independent report should ease the environmental concerns of opponents.
"I hope it will because the National Marine Fisheries Service, it's their biological opinion, it's there conclusion of what the impacts and effects might be of the Navy training."
