Catholic Action of Hawaii/peace Education Project v. Harold Brown, Secretary of Defense

This action was brought by appellants, several Hawaii based environmental groups and individuals concerned with the protection of the environment. They seek to require the United States Navy to file an environmental impact statement (EIS), pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and to comply with other federal statutes protecting endangered species and historic sites in connection with alleged plans to store nuclear weapons at the West Loch branch of the Lualualei naval magazine on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

The West Loch facility has, since 1959, been used for handling and storage of ammunition. It is located one mile from the final approach to a major runway at the Honolulu International Airport and in close proximity to airports at Hickham Airforce Base and Barber’s Point Naval Air Station.

In 1975, the Navy prepared an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the environmental consequences which might result from the planned transfer to West Loch of weapons, being stored at Waikele branch of the Lualualei magazine. The assessment concluded that the construction of the magazines and buildings to accommodate the relocation of weapons would have no…