The House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands took testimony on H.R. 4686, the Rota Cultural and Natural Resources Study Act, which was introduced by Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Ind.-MP, in February.
Katherine Stevenson, testifying on behalf of the Department of the Interior, said they support H.R. 4686, although she asked for three years to complete a study, not the 18 months called for in Sablan’s bill.
Referring to an earlier reconnaissance survey in 2005, Stevenson told the subcommittee that “the natural and cultural resources of the island of Rota are significant to island residents, the CNMI, and the entire nation and merit protection.”
But, Stevenson warned, “the people of Rota and their political leaders find themselves at a crossroads regarding the uses to which their lands are being put. Major land use changes are continuing to take place,” referring to the transfer of public land to private ownership.
Subcommittee Chairman Raúl Grijalva, D-Az., responded by asking Stevenson whether this means it’s a good time or a bad time to go ahead with a study. Answered Stevenson: “I believe it’s a good time.”
Also on hand to testify, at the invitation of Sablan, was Rep. Teresita A. Santos, Ind.-Rota and chair of the CNMI House Committee on Natural Resources.
“I hereby voice my support and strongly urge this honorable subcommittee to pass H.R. 4868 to authorize the secretary of Interior to study our island of Rota and assess its potential,” she told the subcommittee.
Santos and Sablan expect that the creation of a National Park unit on Rota would protect habitat used by endangered species and that this would in turn free other areas of the island for residential and agricultural development.
“I am in full support for the establishment of a unit of the National Park System on Rota,” Santos said, “with the expectation provided, and the hope that the public lands on Rota are used to mitigate public lands that are currently proposed for habitat use.”
Sablan also pointed to the military build-up on Guam and the expectation that areas would have to be set aside to provide environmental mitigation for impacts there as a rationale for his bill.
Sablan questioned Stevenson about the time needed to conduct the survey, given that the reconnaissance survey of 2005 had already determined that sites on Rota were of national significance and that it was both suitable and feasible to establish a Park unit there.
Stevenson replied that what is left to do on Rota is to get more public involvement in the decision and to fully examine all the necessary environmental compliance issues.
She said she understands that Rota is at a crossroads and this creates some urgency. “But we didn’t want to mislead you [into thinking that the study could be done as quickly as 18 months].”
“I am so glad that Chairwoman Santos was able to accept my invitation and come all this way to testify in support of Rota,” said Sablan. “Her testimony clearly had an impact on the subcommittee members; and I think that bodes well for the bill.
“Rota wants to be an eco-tourism destination. Having a National Park protecting the unique flora and fauna of Rota and the archaeological sites that are unique to the Marianas will certainly give a boost to eco-tourism development.”
Sablan said he will be following up with the subcommittee to make sure there are no unanswered questions and to encourage the panel to report the bill for action as quickly as possible.
