‘ESA designation could have adverse effects on Rota’

A proposed rule to protect endangered flora and fauna could have adverse effects on residents of Rota, one of the three major islands in the CNMI.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a rule to protect 23 species found in Guam and the CNMI and has recently reopened the proposed rule for public comment.

Under the Endangered Species Act, designated habitats can no longer be used either for housing or agricultural purposes.

In a letter to Kristi Young, Deputy Field Supervisor, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sen. Teresita A. Santos said she understands “the necessity for the protection and conservation of such species [but] I also understand that such listing possibly creates adverse effects on the people of Rota as well.”

The lawmaker said the island of Rota is relatively small, “yet it has several conservation areas currently in place.”

“To further designate additional critical habitats outside of these areas will lessen the already sparse land available for future development,” Santos wrote, adding that Congress is currently addressing legislation to authorize the review of areas on Rota for possible inclusion in the National Park System.

“One such example is the agricultural homestead issuance stoppage due to the presence of the Marianas crow, which took almost 20 years to be resolved,” the lawmaker wrote.

Conceivably, she said, it would be reasonable that current conservation areas also serve as critical habitats. “This will ensure the protection of such species and not inhibit future development for the people of Rota,” she wrote.

Santos said she is grateful that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be conducting public hearings on all three islands to gather new information from the public and the scientific community prior to making the final determination.

The Service said it will hold two public hearings and four public information meetings.

These additional meetings and hearings will give all interested parties more time and opportunity to comment on the proposed rule, the agency said.

The public comment period will close on Feb. 11, 2015.

The 23 species proposed for listing comprises 14 plants, four tree snails, two butterflies, one insectivorous bat, one skink, and one damselfly. Two of the plant species—Cycas micronesica and Tabernaemontana rotensis —are proposed for threatened status; the other plants and animals are proposed as endangered.