Dear Dianne,

I have terrific news to share about two of our most important courtroom battles.

First, a federal court has temporarily blocked the Shell oil company from drilling exploratory wells this summer off the coast of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Just last month I alerted you that we were rushing to court to stop the drilling before it could start — and prevent any chance of an oil spill blanketing the shore of the Arctic Refuge and turning it into a long-term toxic waste site.

By putting Shell’s operation on hold until the full case can be heard, the court has granted an eleventh-hour reprieve to polar bears and other wildlife, and shown its concern about the impacts of drilling. We’re gearing up for a full hearing next week in federal court.

Now the second — and equally dramatic — victory: with the U.S.

Navy about to train with dangerous, mid-frequency sonar during nearly a dozen upcoming exercises off the southern California coast, a federal judge has stepped in — at NRDC’s request — and blocked the use of the sonar!

We are demanding that the Navy put common-sense measures in place to protect whales and other marine mammals from a lethal technology that has caused whale strandings and deaths around the world.

The court’s injunction is “preliminary,” which means that this fight is far from over. Nevertheless, it is a stunning setback for the Navy, and it supports our contention that whales should not have to die for military practice.

These twin victories are very important steps forward in our campaign to thwart the Bush administration’s ongoing assault on America’s wildlife and wild places.

And you made them possible — through your unflagging and generous support of NRDC. I want to thank you, on my own behalf and on behalf of all the attorneys and staffers who are working so tirelessly on these cases.

What a great day for the environment!

Sincerely,

Frances Beinecke

President

Natural Resources Defense Council