DOCSLIB.ORG

Nearshore Distribution and an Abundance Estimate for Green Sea Turtles, Chelonia Mydas, at Rota Island, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands1

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Nearshore Distribution and an Abundance Estimate for Green Sea Turtles, Chelonia Mydas, at Rota Island, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands1 Nearshore Distribution and an Abundance Estimate for Green Sea Turtles, Chelonia mydas, at Rota Island, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands1 Steven P. Kolinski,2 Ronald K. Hoeke,3 Stephani R. Holzwarth,3 Larry I. Ilo,4 Evelyn F. Cox,2 Robert C. O’Conner,2 and Peter S. Vroom3 Abstract: Seventy-three green turtles, Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758), were observed in 84 sightings along 28 transects covering 67% of Rota’s shoreline and outer reef perimeter in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Is- lands. No other sea turtle species were encountered. Juvenile turtles of various sizes dominated in all surveyed environments, and observations of turtles with estimated straight carapace lengths a 40 cm suggested recent and continuing recruitment at Rota. Distribution of turtles appeared temporally stable when compared with previously reported observations and data, with turtle concentra- tions highest along northeast, east, and southeast coasts of the island. Approxi- mately 118 turtles were projected to inhabit nearshore habitats at Rota. Although this population may appear minor and indistinct compared with those at nearby Tinian and Saipan, continued monitoring would be useful for compar- ison of Mariana Islands trends. Thirty-five species of cyanophytes, algae, and a sea grass noted as green turtle forage in other world regions were identified at Rota in this and previous surveys. The green turtle, Chelonia mydas (Lin- annual nests ranging to the low tens through- naeus, 1758), has been reported as the princi- out the commonwealth (Pritchard 1982, pal sea turtle species in the Commonwealth Wiles et al. 1989, 1990, McCoy 1997, Pultz of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) et al. 1999, Ilo and Manglona 2001, Kolinski (Wiles et al. 1989, 1990, McCoy 1997, Pultz et al. 2001). The preponderance of turtles in et al. 1999, Kolinski et al. 2001, 2004, 2005). the region are found residing in nearshore Anecdotal observations and intermittent sur- reef areas of the southern arc islands (Figure veys suggest that nesting greens make up a 1), where identification of distributions and relatively small proportion of the local sea abundance has become critical to ascertaining turtle population, with known numbers of turtle population status and dynamics, partic- ularly in relation to human activities that in- clude efforts at resource management and 1 Manuscript accepted 20 December 2005. recovery (National Marine Fisheries Service 2 Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Re- and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998, Ko- search, National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands Regional Office, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, linski et al. 2001, 2004, 2005; S.P.K., unpubl. Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96814-0047 (e-mail: steve.kolinski@ data). noaa.gov). In 2003, surveys of reefs throughout the 3 Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Re- Mariana Archipelago off the NOAA ship R/ search, National Marine Fisheries Service, Coral Reef V Oscar Elton Sette included a rapid yet com- Ecosystem Division, 1125B Ala Moana Boulevard, Ho- nolulu, Hawai‘i 96814. prehensive assessment for turtles in nearshore 4 Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Lands marine habitats of the southernmost CNMI and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 10007, Lower Base island, Rota. Few assessments for sea turtles Area, Saipan, MP 96950. in nearshore waters at Rota have been made (Wiles et al. 1990, Ilo and Manglona 2001), Pacific Science (2006), vol. 60, no. 4:509–522 and published observations on turtle distribu- : 2006 by University of Hawai‘i Press tions and abundance for the island are limited All rights reserved (Wiles et al. 1990, Kolinski et al. 2004). Con- 509 Figure 1. The Mariana Islands and the 2003 distribution of transects and turtles at Rota Island. Sea Turtles at Rota Island . Kolinski et al. 511 sistent with recommendations of the recovery ranging from 3 to approximately 30 m. On plan for U.S. Pacific green turtle populations one of the boats, when a turtle was sighted (National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. its approximate position was signaled to boat Fish and Wildlife Service 1998), in this paper personnel via a magnetic-switch telegraph and we present detailed information on turtle recorded on a geographic positioning system distributions, estimated size classes, projected (GPS) (Garmin 76S). On the other boat tur- abundance, and likely food resources for tle positions were estimated by matching ob- green turtles in marine habitats surrounding servation times with points collected every 5 Rota Island. sec on a GPS set to record tow tracks. Obser- vation time, species, size (visually estimated straight carapace length [SCL] made in com- Study Area parison with 1-m-wide tow-boards delineated Rota (14 90 N, 145 12 0 E) is an 85-km2 is- with 10-cm markings), sex (when discern- land located northeast of Guam (60 km) and able), activity, and habitat characteristics were southwest of Aguijan (71 km) in the southern recorded by underwater observers. Individual arc of the Mariana Archipelago (Figure 1). tows typically lasted 1 hr and occurred at spa- The island consists of terraced limestone pla- tial intervals that allowed for characterization teaus bordering two small volcanic outcrops of all major (i.e., north, east, south, and west) and reaches 491 m in height (Eldredge 1983, coastlines (Figure 1). The second method Wells and Jenkins 1988, Wiles et al. 1990). consisted of dive surveys made between Steep limestone cliffs, rocky shores, and depths of 12 and 22 m by eight scientific intermittent benches characterize much of divers who collected data on turtles while as- the eastern and southern coasts as well as the sessing fish, invertebrate, and algal commu- southern portion of the western peninsula. nities along three 25-m transects at each of Coarse calcareous sand beaches are inter- six locations around the island. The dive sur- spersed among rock along northern, south- vey data are presented to reflect consistency ern, and western shores (Eldredge and in observations of turtle distributions. How- Randall 1980), where sea turtle nesting has ever, they were not included in abundance es- been reported as infrequent (Wiles et al. timates because most likely were resightings 1990, Grout 1997, McCoy 1997, Ilo and of turtles counted in tow surveys that over- Manglona 2001). Marine habitats are di- lapped these short transects. In all surveys, verse and include fringing reefs, shallow reef benthic habitats and the water column were slopes, spur and groove zones, extensive pave- assessed for turtles within ranges of visibility ment, boulder fields, ledges, and steep cliffs. (typically 15 to >40 m). Surface waters also Human development is concentrated mainly were searched by support boat personnel, in the southwest of the island at Songsong with pertinent information on turtle sightings (Figure 1). The 2000 census identified 3,283 (as previously described) being recorded. residents (Evans et al. 2002), approximately Turtle maturity status was not directly 5% of the CNMI population. Fisheries re- measured for any individual. Visual SCL esti- sources at Rota are exploited by local and mates were used to grossly categorize turtles neighboring island residents. as juveniles (a70 cm), juvenile/adults (>70 and a90 cm), and presumed adults (>90 materials and methods cm). The range for ‘‘presumed adults’’ may appear liberal but was based on the average Assessments for turtles at Rota were con- of mean SCL nesting sizes presented for Pa- ducted on 19 and 20 September 2003, off the cific turtles by Hirth (1997), rounded to the NOAA ship R/V Oscar Elton Sette. Two sur- nearest decimeter. Estimated turtle numbers vey methods were employed. Towed-diver were adjusted for each transect by removing surveys (Kenyon et al. in press) consisted of resightings of the same individual based on two scuba divers per boat being towed paral- size, distinguishing features, time, and specific lel to shore by each of two boats at depths locations and/or routes. Such methods are TABLE 1 Observations of Green Turtles at Rota Island, CNMI, in 2003 Estimated No. of Turtles Observed Transect Max. Time Length Total No. of Juvenile/ Presumed Turtles Site Date (hr:min) Method (km) Observations Juvenile Adult Adult Total per km North Rota Puntan Sailigai 9/20 0:15 Single tow 0.67 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 to Tatachok Tatachok to 9/20 1:00 Single tow 2.58 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 Teteto Sayan Gigani 9/20 1:35 Dive survey *0.08 0 0 0 0 0 *0.0 Sayan Gigani to 9/20 1:00 Single tow 2.62 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 Agusan I Batko to 9/20 0:33 Single tow 0.82 2 2 0 0 2 2.4 Lalayak Lalayak to 9/20 0:27 Double tow 1.05 6 3 2 0 5 4.8 Mochong Mochong to 9/20 0:32 Single tow 1.12 2 1 1 0 2 1.8 Maya Mochong 9/20 1:19 Dive survey *0.08 5 *1 *2 0 *3 *37.5 (Mean G SE) Subtotal 6:41 8.86 15 6 3 0 9 1.5 G 0.8 East Rota Puntan Fina 9/19 0:28 Single tow 0.99 4 1 2 1 4 4.0 Atkos Puntan Fina 9/19 0:29 Double tow 0.99 3 2 0 1 3 3.0 Atkos to As Dudo As Dudo 9/19 1:36 Dive survey *0.08 0 0 0 0 0 *0.0 As Dudo to 9/19 0:36 Single tow 1.34 9 6 1 0 7 5.2 Puntan As Fani I Chiugai to 9/19 0:54 Double tow 1.86 27 14 8 4 26 14.0 Puntan Saguagahga (Mean G SE) Subtotal 4:03 5.18 43 23 11 6 40 6.6 G 2.5 South Rota Puntan 9/19 0:28 Single tow 1.21 4 1 3 0 4 3.3 Saguagahga to Taksunok Taksunok 9/19 1:25 Dive survey *0.08 0 0 0 0 0 *0.0 Alaguan to 9/19 0:56 Single tow 2.31 6 1 3 2 6 2.6 Payapai Agatasi to 9/19 1:00 Single tow 2.96 2 2 0 0 2 0.7 Gaonan Guaa to Gagani 9/19 1:00 Single tow 2.30 1 1 0 0 1 0.4 South Puntan 9/20 0:30 Single tow *0.87 1 *1 0 0 *1 *1.1 Pona West
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Project Leader Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
    Project Leader Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Location Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial is located 1,300 miles from the main Hawaiian Islands and is part of the Northwestern Hawaiian Island chain. In addition to being a refuge and national memorial, Midway Atoll is also a part of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, one of the largest protected areas in the world. Midway Atoll is recognized as globally important for breeding albatross and other seabirds, and for its historic and cultural significance. It is also home to Henderson Field, an FAA emergency stop airport for transpacific flights. The island is inhabited year round by a population of ~50 residents that are a mix of FWS employees, volunteers, interns, and contractors of various nationalities. It is a tight, close-knit community where residents work, live, and spend down time together. Skills/Specialized Experience The Project Leader position at Midway Atoll NWR is one of the most unique and challenging refuge management positions in the refuge system. The ideal candidate would have experience working in remote locations, managing a large and diverse group of people, and possess an ability to maintain calm and steady leadership in the face of unexpected challenges. We are looking for a leader who will prioritize the safety, security and wellness of the island residents above all else. Other exciting challenges include complicated logistics as all supplies and personnel must be flown or shipped to the island, working with a variety of partners who rely on the island for staging (Coast Guard), monitoring (NOAA, DOD, etc...) and mission critical amenities (FAA and airport), and managing an airfield, a robust biological program, and the logistics of supporting a remote community.
    [Show full text]
  • OGC-98-5 U.S. Insular Areas: Application of the U.S. Constitution
    United States General Accounting Office Report to the Chairman, Committee on GAO Resources, House of Representatives November 1997 U.S. INSULAR AREAS Application of the U.S. Constitution GAO/OGC-98-5 United States General Accounting Office GAO Washington, D.C. 20548 Office of the General Counsel B-271897 November 7, 1997 The Honorable Don Young Chairman Committee on Resources House of Representatives Dear Mr. Chairman: More than 4 million U.S. citizens and nationals live in insular areas1 under the jurisdiction of the United States. The Territorial Clause of the Constitution authorizes the Congress to “make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property” of the United States.2 Relying on the Territorial Clause, the Congress has enacted legislation making some provisions of the Constitution explicitly applicable in the insular areas. In addition to this congressional action, courts from time to time have ruled on the application of constitutional provisions to one or more of the insular areas. You asked us to update our 1991 report to you on the applicability of provisions of the Constitution to five insular areas: Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (the CNMI), American Samoa, and Guam. You asked specifically about significant judicial and legislative developments concerning the political or tax status of these areas, as well as court decisions since our earlier report involving the applicability of constitutional provisions to these areas. We have included this information in appendix I. 1As we did in our 1991 report on this issue, Applicability of Relevant Provisions of the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • 5 (Lql"~ (T~I ~ Fl'u<Y
    ~-----" (t~i ~ fl'U<y 5 (lql"~ MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT AMONG THE STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AND THE u.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE AND NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE FOR PROMOTING COORDINATED MANAGEMENT IN THE NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS University Of Hawaii School of Law Library - Jon Van Dyke Archives Collection I. BACKGROUND A. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) include a vast and remote chain of islands that are a part of the Hawaiian archipelago and provide habitat to numerous species found nowhere else on earth. These islands represent a nearly pristine ecosystem where habitats upon which marine species depend include both land and water. This area represents the majority of the coral reefs found in the United States' jurisdiction and supports more than 7,000 marine species, of which half are unique to the Hawaiian Islands chain. The area is rich in history and represents a place ofciilturaI-sfgnificahcelotheHtlativeHawaiians:lt is an-area that must be carefully managed to ensure that the resources are not diminished for future generations. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are also the most remote archipelago in the world. This isolation has resulted in need for integrated resource management of this vast and exceptional marine environment. There is a need for coordinated management in this unique and special pl~ce where various State and Federal agencies and advisory councils have a variety of authorities and jurisdiction. B. The area subject to this Agreement is the lands and waters of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands out to 50 nautical miles and includes all atolls, reefs, shoals, banks, and islands from Nihoa Island in the Southeast to Kure Atoll in the Northwest.
    [Show full text]
  • Photographing the Islands of Hawaii
    Molokai Sea Cliffs - Molokai, Hawaii Photographing the Islands of Hawaii by E.J. Peiker Introduction to the Hawaiian Islands The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight primary islands and many atolls that extend for 1600 miles in the central Pacific Ocean. The larger and inhabited islands are what we commonly refer to as Hawaii, the 50 th State of the United States of America. The main islands, from east to west, are comprised of the Island of Hawaii (also known as the Big Island), Maui, Kahoolawe, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. Beyond Niihau to the west lie the atolls beginning with Kaula and extending to Kure Atoll in the west. Kure Atoll is the last place on Earth to change days and the last place on Earth to ring in the new year. The islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii (Big Island) are the most visited and developed with infrastructure equivalent to much of the civilized world. Molokai and Lanai have very limited accommodation options and infrastructure and have far fewer people. All six of these islands offer an abundance of photographic possibilities. Kahoolawe and Niihau are essentially off-limits. Kahoolawe was a Navy bombing range until recent years and has lots of unexploded ordinance. It is possible to go there as part of a restoration mission but one cannot go there as a photo destination. Niihau is reserved for the very few people of 100% Hawaiian origin and cannot be visited for photography if at all. Neither have any infrastructure. Kahoolawe is photographable from a distance from the southern shores of Maui and Niihau can be seen from the southwestern part of Kauai.
    [Show full text]
  • B: Other U.S. Island Possessions in the Tropical Pacific
    Appendix B Other U.S. Island Possessions in the Tropical Pacific1 Introduction Howland, Jarvis, and Baker Islands There are eight isolated and unincorporated is- Howland, Jarvis and Baker are arid coral islands lands and reefs under U.S. control and sovereignty in the southern Line Island group (figure B-l). Aside in the tropical Pacific Basin. Included in this cate- from American Samoa, Jarvis Island is the only gory are: Kingman Reef, Palmyra and Johnston other U.S.-affiliated island in the Southern Hemi- Atolls in the northern Line Island group; Howland, sphere. These islands lie within one-half degree Baker and Jarvis Islands in the southern Line Is- from the equator, in the equatorial climatic zone. land group; Midway Atoll at the northwest end of During the 19th century the United States and the Hawaiian archipelago; and Wake Island north Britain actively exploited the significant guano de- of the Marshall Islands. Evidence indicates that posits found on these three islands. Jarvis Island some of these islands were not inhabited prior to was claimed by the United States in 1857, and sub- “Western” discovery; and today some remain unin- sequently annexed by Britain in 1889. Jarvis, Howland, habited. and Baker Islands were made territories of the These islands range from less than 1 degree south United States in 1936, and placed under the juris- latitude to nearly 29 degrees north latitude and from diction of the Department of the Interior. The is- 162 degrees west to 167 east longitude. The climate lands currently are uninhabited. regimes range from arid to wet and equatorial to These atolls were used as weather stations and subtropical.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Applying Makawalu to Midway Atoll's Visitor Program Kuaihelani, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument by Gina M. Mcgu
    Applying Makawalu to Midway Atoll’s Visitor Program Kuaihelani, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument by Gina M. McGuire B.A. (Stanford University) 2017 A thesis submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science in the Graduate Division of the University of Hawaiʻi, Hilo Committee in charge: Dr. Jason P. Turner Dr. Kathryn Besio Mr. Barry W. Stieglitz Spring 2019 1 ABSTRACT Applying Makawalu to Midway Atoll’s Visitor Program: Kuaihelani, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument by Gina M. McGuire Master of Science in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science University of Hawaiʻi, Hilo Professor Jason P. Turner, Chair This study informs decisionmakers on the stakeholder's views about the feasibility of re- opening visitation to the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial. Midway Atoll is operated under the National Wildlife Refuge System and is the only area within the surrounding Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument designated to allow for public visitation. Narrative research methodologies including interviewing and participant observation were conducted under the Hawaiian framework of makawalu, literally translating to “eight eyes.” Narrative research provides the context and added complexity to inform decisions about visitation regarding social, ecological, heritage, and economic interests in the Atoll. Stakeholder responses show that the question as to whether visitation “should” be re- opened on Midway is unclear across responses, and that in many cases where there is strong conviction to have visitation, it is only for certain groups and interviewees have serious reservations about visitation program design. Spatial landscape analysis identifies gaps in data availability to determine potential environmental impact on Midway Atoll and the importance of including Indigenous ways of knowing in management.
    [Show full text]
  • Annotated Checklist of the Fishes of Wake Atoll1
    Annotated Checklist ofthe Fishes ofWake Atoll 1 Phillip S. Lobel2 and Lisa Kerr Lobel 3 Abstract: This study documents a total of 321 fishes in 64 families occurring at Wake Atoll, a coral atoll located at 19 0 17' N, 1660 36' E. Ten fishes are listed by genus only and one by family; some of these represent undescribed species. The first published account of the fishes of Wake by Fowler and Ball in 192 5 listed 107 species in 31 families. This paper updates 54 synonyms and corrects 20 misidentifications listed in the earlier account. The most recent published account by Myers in 1999 listed 122 fishes in 33 families. Our field surveys add 143 additional species records and 22 new family records for the atoll. Zoogeo­ graphic analysis indicates that the greatest species overlap of Wake Atoll fishes occurs with the Mariana Islands. Several fish species common at Wake Atoll are on the IUCN Red List or are otherwise of concern for conservation. Fish pop­ ulations at Wake Atoll are protected by virtue of it being a U.S. military base and off limits to commercial fishing. WAKE ATOLL IS an isolated atoll in the cen­ and Strategic Defense Command. Conse­ tral Pacific (19 0 17' N, 1660 36' E): It is ap­ quentially, access has been limited due to the proximately 3 km wide by 6.5 km long and military mission, and as a result the aquatic consists of three islands with a land area of fauna of the atoll has not received thorough 2 approximately 6.5 km • Wake is separated investigation.
    [Show full text]
  • Hawaiian and Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex Wilderness Inventory Summary Guam National Wildlife Refuge Mariana
    Hawaiian and Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex Wilderness Inventories Hawaiian and Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex Wilderness Inventory Summary Table 1. Hawaiian and Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex Wilderness Inventory Summary Guam National Wildlife Refuge Guam National Wildlife Refuge Wilderness Inventory Mariana Trench National Wildlife Refuge Mariana Trench National Wildlife Refuge Wilderness Inventory Information Mariana Arc of Fire National Wildlife Refuge Identification of Inventory Units Size Naturalness Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation Supplemental Values Inventory Findings Wake Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Wake Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Wilderness Inventory Information Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Identification of Inventory Units Size Naturalness Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation Supplemental Values Inventory Findings Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge Identification of Inventory Units Size Naturalness Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation Supplemental Values Inventory Findings Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Identification of Inventory Units Size Naturalness Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation Supplemental Values Inventory Findings Jarvis Island National Wildlife Refuge Identification of Inventory Units Size Naturalness Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation Supplemental Values Inventory Findings 1 Hawaiian
    [Show full text]
  • Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Seawall Repair Project – Conservation Measures Plan
    Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Seawall Repair Project – Conservation Measures Plan September 27, 2018 Project Description The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) propose to replace sections of Sand Island’s approximate 5,720-foot south seawall, to protect the Henderson Airfield runway and to control erosion of wildlife habitat. The FWS and the FAA have proposed a ten-year period for repairs, as funding is made available. The overall purpose of the project is to repair sections, as needed, of the existing seawall. The project area is located along the south shore of Sand Island within Midway Atoll, which was designated as the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge/Battle of Midway National Memorial (Midway), and is located within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Monument). Midway is located in the northwestern part of the Hawaiian archipelago at N 28° 12’ and W 177° 21’. Midway Atoll NWR was designated as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1988 and became a part of the Monument in 2006, both of which are administered by the FWS. Part of the seawall protects the Henderson Field runway which is a FAA-designated Extended- range Twin Operations (ETOPS) emergency landing site. This ETPOS site allows for the emergency use of the runway for all flights, charter, commercial or military, over the Pacific Ocean. The adjacent portion protects FWS National Wildlife Refuge land (Figure 1). At this time the FAA and the FWS are in the process of applying for a Standard Individual Permit with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District in order to address future repairs or modifications to the existing seawall in the time period 2019-2029.
    [Show full text]
  • GAO-16-382, MIDWAY ATOLL: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Faces
    United States Government Accountability Office Report to Congressional Requesters June 2016 MIDWAY ATOLL U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Faces Many Competing Priorities GAO-16-382 June 2016 MIDWAY ATOLL U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Faces Many Competing Priorities Highlights of GAO-16-382, a report to congressional requesters Why GAO Did This Study What GAO Found Midway, a trio of islands about According to officials in the Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife 1,300 miles from Honolulu, has been Service (FWS), operations funding for Midway Atoll (Midway) has decreased in managed by FWS as a wildlife refuge recent years and project-specific funding has varied. Specifically, budget officials since the closure of a naval base in said that FWS, after increasing the funding allocated to Midway’s operations to 1996. Midway also serves as a more than $4 million by fiscal year 2011, decreased Midway’s allocation by more national memorial to a historic World than $1 million by fiscal years 2012 and 2013. These officials said that the lower War II battle. GAO was asked to allocation led to suspension of public visitation on Midway in November 2012, review FWS’s management of Midway. which, in turn, decreased operations funding available from fees collected for This report examines (1) funding for services such as lodging. Midway has also received funding for specific projects, operations and projects on Midway for such as lead-based paint abatement. In addition, under an interagency fiscal years 2009 to 2015, (2) how agreement, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reimbursed FWS up to FWS maintained historic properties on $3 million per year for the direct costs of operating Midway’s Henderson Airfield Midway and the extent to which it and provided additional funds for capital improvement projects, such as consulted with key parties and sought resurfacing runways.
    [Show full text]
  • Tech Memo Cultural Resources
    CJMT EIS/OEIS Appendix N April 2015 Draft Cultural Resources APPENDIX N CULTURAL RESOURCES TECHNICAL MEMO Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 CULTURAL RESOURCES REGULATIONS, STANDARDS, AND GUIDELINES .....................................................1 2.0 CULTURAL RESOURCES AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT .................................................................. 2 2.1 TINIAN ....................................................................................................................................3 2.1.1 Historical Overview ............................................................................................................. 3 2.1.2 Previous Studies and Recorded Cultural Resources ........................................................... 7 2.2 PAGAN .................................................................................................................................. 13 2.2.1 Historical Overview ........................................................................................................... 13 2.2.2 Previous Studies and Recorded Cultural Resources ......................................................... 16 3.0 CULTURAL RESOURCES ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ................................................... 19 3.1 METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................................................... 20 3.1.1 Approach to Analysis .......................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Governor Ralph
    142°0'E 143°0'E 144°0'E 145°0'E 146°0'E 147°0'E 148°0'E 149°0'E 115th Congress of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 21°0'N Governor Ralph Deleon Guerrero Torres 21°0'N Uracus (Farallon de Pajaros) Maug 20°0'N 20°0'N Philippine Sea Asuncion Pacific Ocean NORTHERN ISLANDS (parts) SAIPAN 19°0'N 19°0'N Northern Agrihan Tinian Philippine Sea DISTRICT 4 Western (parts) Tinian Eastern Tinian 15°0'N DISTRICT 6 (part) (Marpo Valley) Pagan Marpo San Jose Heights (Tinian 18°0'N Municipality) 18°0'N Carolinas TINIAN Heights Sabaneta Carolinas Banaderu Pidos Kahalo Alamagan Philippine Marpi I Maddok Sea Matansa Fanonchuluyan Bird As Pacific Matuis Island Guguan San Ocean Achugao Roque Managaha Tangke g pa Kalabera a og DISTRICT 3 an et Nanasu T ah (part) M Puerto Rico s A As Akina As Palacios Lower Sadog Base Tasi DISTRICT 4 Navy Hill American (part) 17°0'N Memorial 17°0'N Park As Talafofo Aguijan Rabagau Capitol Hill DISTRICT 6 n a Chalan (part) p F a a Galaide r na a ng SAIPAN an G I Denni Sarigan an I Scale: 1:130,000 o a Pitot 0 3 Kilometers h As Teo China Maturana c I Town o Hill p Akgak 0 3 Miles a T g Gualo n a As Falipe y Rai i L Hilaihai I DISTRICT 3 Kagman I (part) Chacha u a Papago l u a Kagman Kagman IV L DISTRICT 5 Anatahan n II a l Chalan Kagman a San Jose h Rueda C (Oleai) Laulau Chalan Bay Kiya Kannat Kagman Tabla III As Chalan Susupe Terlaje Kanoa II Forbidden Chalan Finasisu San Island Farallon de Medinilla Philippine Kanoa III Chalan Vicente Pekngasu Kanoa I 16°0'N Mochong Chalan 16°0'N Sea Agusan Kanoa
    [Show full text]