(U.S. Department of the Interior-National Park Service) — The National Park Service is pleased to share that the Rota Special Resource Study has been transmitted to Congress and is now available on the project website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/rotastudy/.
The study finds that the prehistoric, historic, and limestone forest resources of Rota are nationally significant and that areas of the island are suitable for inclusion in the national park system. The study additionally finds that limestone forest and Chamorro archeological sites within the study area are conditionally feasible for inclusion in the national park system, dependent on support from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands government and the development of a management agreement, support from Rota and CNMI residents, and sufficient funding for park operations.
However, analysis of existing management and several additional management frameworks does not demonstrate a clear need for direct NPS management at this time. The people of Rota have protected their resources for generations through cultural practices, local laws, federal financial assistance, and the dedicated efforts of CNMI agencies. The exceptional integrity of Rota’s cultural and natural resources is evidence of the community’s impressive and centuries-long tradition of stewardship. The CNMI government is continuing this tradition of resource stewardship while also providing visitor access and information about Rota’s significant sites. For these reasons, the special resource study concludes that Rota does not meet all criteria necessary to be considered eligible for designation as a new unit of the national park system.
In addition to being published on the project website, the NPS will be printing a limited number of hard copies of the study for public distribution in the next few months. The executive summary will also be translated into Chamorro and made available online.
Answers to frequently asked questions have been posted on the project website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/rotastudy.
