NPS corrects date for Guam meet of Rota study

The National Park Service corrected yesterday the date of the public meeting that will be held in Guam in connection with a study of the unique natural and cultural resources of the island of Rota in the CNMI.

“The Rota Special Resource Study public meeting scheduled for Guam will take place on Monday, Feb. 27, and not Feb. 24 as originally reported,” the statement said.

As directed by the U.S. Congress (Public Law 113-291 Section 3051, Dec. 19, 2014), NPS is conducting a study of Rota’s prehistoric and historic resources and limestone forests.

The Rota Special Resource Study will evaluate the national significance of the area and the suitability and feasibility of designating the area as a unit of the national park system. The study is expected to take two-three years to complete.

 The NPS is hosting public meetings in the CNMI and Guam as well as two virtual (online) meetings to introduce the study, answer questions, and solicit public ideas and interests.

On Saipan, the meeting will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 6pm to 8pm, at the American Memorial Park Visitor Center Theater in Garapan.

On Rota, the meeting will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 22, from 6pm to 8pm, and on Thursday, Feb. 23, from 9am to 11am, both at the Rota Mayor’s Office.

Chamorro language translation will be provided at the Saipan and Rota meetings.

In Guam, it will take place on Monday, Feb. 27, from 6pm to 8pm, at the Guam Museum auditorium.

There will also be two virtual (online) meetings. The first one is on Thursday, March 9, from 9am to 10:30am. Go to www.gotomeeting.com, click on “Join Webinar” in the upper right, and enter Webinar ID: 210-509-451.

The second virtual (online) meeting will take place on Friday, March 10, from 6am to 7:30am. Go to www.gotomeeting.com, click on “Join Webinar” in the upper right, and enter Webinar ID: 879-835-067

A special resource study evaluates the eligibility of an area to be designated as a national park or other special designation. As defined in the study legislation, the study focuses on the prehistoric, historic, and limestone forest sites on Rota. The National Park Service collects information about the quality of resources in the study area, evaluates the potential for visitor enjoyment and efficient management, and analyzes the feasibility and appropriateness of different management options including alternative ways that local, CNMI, federal, and private entities can further protect and interpret Rota’s important places. The study will respect and retain the authorities of the CNMI government and private property owners.

The NPS provides its findings to the Secretary of the Interior. If the Rota study results in a recommendation from the Secretary of the Interior that areas of Rota warrant addition to the national park system, Congress may or may not act on or follow the recommendation. Other outcomes of the study could include: no change from the existing management structure, local CNMI public and/or private management options, additional NPS technical assistance, or other local, national, or international designations.

For more information:
• Contact Jean Boscacci, project manager at 415-623-2312
• Email the study team at Rota_study@nps.gov   
• View the project web site at parkplanning.nps.gov/rotastudy (NPS)