The U.S. Navy is resuming its practice of using old warships for target practice and sinking them in U.S. coastal waters after a nearly two-year moratorium spurred by environmental and cost concerns.

Later this month, three inactive vessels – Kilauea, Niagara Falls and Concord – will be sent to a watery grave off Hawaii by torpedoes, bombs and other ordnance during the Rim of the Pacific naval exercises, or RIMPAC.

The military quietly lifted the moratorium on Sinkex, short for sinking exercise, last year after a review of the requirements, costs, benefits and environmental impacts of the program, the Navy said in a statement to The Associated Press.

Environmental groups favor ship recycling vs. sinking. They’re concerned about long-term effects of toxic pollutants onboard the ships and have filed suit to force the EPA to better regulate Sinkex. The case is ongoing.

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