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Torres wants bird removed from endangered list
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Posted on Apr 16 2008
Lawmakers are debating whether a bird unique to the Northern Marianas should be removed from the endangered species list.
Rep. Stanley Torres introduced yesterday a resolution urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist the nightingale reed warbler, locally known as “ga`ga` karisu,” as an endangered species.
The nightingale reed warbler was listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Dec. 2, 1970. The bird species can be found on Saipan and Alamagan. Until the 1960s, it could also be found on Guam but it became extinct because of predation by brown tree snakes.
Torres said the species has recovered and does not need the federal protection that has delayed many potential developments on Saipan.
In fact, he said, the bird species has a habitat below his house. To illustrate his point, he played a five-minute recording of the birds singing outside his bedroom window.
“My point is that there’s so many of them. They are all over the island,” said Torres.
But Torres’ claim was met with skepticism.
Representatives Joseph Deleon Guerrero and Ray N. Yumul challenged Torres to provide facts to support his request.
Rep. Heinz Hofschneider called for caution. “This matter should not be taken lightly. It speaks volumes about how we view our natural resources,” he said.
For her part, Rep. Tina Sablan maintained that the protection of the endangered species does not prevent development. She noted that there are options in place for businesses seeking to develop land that harbors the nightingale reed warbler.
Rep. Ramon Tebuteb, the only member to speak in support of Torres’ resolution, downplayed the effect of the document. He said it was a mere request to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife; it does not mandate the delisting of the species.
