Guam National Wildlife Refuge P.O

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Guam National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 8134, MOU-3 Guam National Wildlife Refuge Dededo, Guam 96929 Planning Update 3, July 2009

Change of address requested.

In this issue: Review a summary of the three alternatives we developed for managing Guam National Wildlife The cliffs on the Refuge’s Ritidian Unit. Photo: Bill Perry, USFWS. Refuge and send us your comments! Greetings from Guam National Wildlife The Draft CCP/EA is Available for Public Comments Refuge The Draft CCP/EA is available • Constructing a typhoon- for public review and comments. proof pest species barrier This Planning Update is the We developed and analyzed three around the Refuge’s Ritidian third in a series of updates alternatives in the Draft CCP/EA Unit and a portion of the Air distributed by the U.S. Fish for managing the Refuge. Force Overlay Unit. 8 and Wildlife Service (Service) • Restoring limestone forest to keep you informed about • Alternative A is the No and shoreline community the development of a Action alternative, under it Points of Contact habitats. You are Invited to Attend a Comprehensive Conservation we would continue current • Protecting the Refuge's Plan and associated management. The No Action Public Open House Meeting! Send comments, questions, or requests for cave resources, including Environmental Assessment alternative is a baseline from information to: protecting petroglyphs (CCP/EA) for Guam National which to compare the action We will hold two public open house meetings to from the effects of the mud Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). This alternatives. answer your questions and obtain your comments Christian Eggleston, Acting Project Leader dauber wasp. update provides an overview • Alternative B is our on the Guam National Wildlife Refuge Draft Guam National Wildlife Refuge of our proposed alternatives preferred alternative, under • Providing safe, year- CCP/EA. The meetings will be held as follows. P.O. Box 8134, MOU-3 round, attractive, and Dededo, Guam 96929 for managing the Refuge. Your it we would engage in an comments on the Draft CCP/EA intense, short-term increase accessible opportunities for Phone: (671) 355-5096 Dededo: are requested. See page 8 for in wildlife and habitat Refuge visitors to observe, E-mail: [email protected] Tuesday, August 4, 2009, from 6:00 p.m. to contact information. management activities. photograph, learn about, 8:00 p.m. at the Dededo Community Center, • Alternative C describes a and enjoy Refuge habitats 319 Iglesia Circle, Dededo, Guam 96929. Comments may be faxed to (671) 355-5098 or modest increase in wildlife and wildlife. emailed to [email protected]. Include and habitat management. • Protecting the Refuge's Hagatna: “Guam NWR CCP” in the subject line. Comments on the Draft CCP/EA cultural resources. are due by August 24, 2009. Management actions proposed Thursday, August 6, 2009, from 6:00 p.m. to under Alternative B, our preferred We summarized and compared the 8:00 p.m. at the Hagatna Community Center, Visit the planning website at http://www.fws. gov/pacific/ alternative, include: alternatives on pages 4-6. 236 East O’Brian Drive, Hagatna, Guam 96910. planning and select the link for “Projects Online” then select “Guam NWR” to view the Draft CCP/EA and In This Update: previous planning updates. Your Participation...... 2 Public Open House Meetings will be held Refuge Maps...... 3 and 7 General information about Refuges and the U.S. Fish Alternatives Summary Table...... 4 August 4, 2009, in Dededo, and August 6, 2009, in Hagatna and Wildlife Service is available at http://www.fws.gov. Comment Form...... Insert (see back page for more details). Points of Contact...... 8 2 7 D X M . R - 6 0 2 2 0

Public Comments and Next Steps s s 4 - 1 W

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c a t u o t t , We want to thank all those We have included a comment The planning team will evaluate S a 0 d a l

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and address your comments in 1 i i a o e who have taken the time to be form as an insert to this planning t m a e e - 1 o r s o i o o i a i 5 0 e e v t t C M M D B e H L F F S c L S t R C H P l 5 e e 2 F a o the final CCP. We will publish and G u involved in our planning so far. update. Your thoughts and t M 0 5 n C 0 e 2

t 8 a i distribute the final CCP, which 1 g Your comments were considered comments on the Draft CCP/EA i d n e d n i 0 t U V i during development of the draft are important and we encourage will guide management of Guam a L R

alternatives. you to use the comment form to Refuge for 15 years. After the 0

N " 0 0 ' 9 3 ° 3 N " 0 0 ' 8 3 ° 3 1 write down your comments and final CCP is published, actions 1 Between now and August 24, 2009, bring them to one of the public will be implemented as funding interested citizens, agencies, and meetings, or send them to us becomes available. organizations will have a chance to (see page 8 for public meeting n a review and comment on the Draft details and options for sending us e

CCP/EA. comments). E c " E 0 " 0 ' 0 3 0

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° 4 4 1 4 How to Obtain or View a Copy of the Draft CCP/EA 1

Copies of the Draft CCP/EA (671) 355-5096, or you may access c i are available in the References it on the internet at hhttp://www. f Section of Guam Public fws.gov/pacific/planning. A limited i c Libraries. You may request the number of copies are available to a

Draft CCP/EA on CD-ROM by borrow from the Refuge office; see P calling the Refuge office at contact information on page 8.

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in northern Guam, is the primary focus of the Draft U e '

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CCP/EA, and is the location of the Refuge’s headquarters. ° 4 t 4 1 i 4 1

Two overlay units−one at Andersen Air Force Base and the n U

other on U.S. Navy facilities in northern, central, and southern n

Guam−are managed as part of the Refuge through cooperative a N 4 i 5 8

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agreements with the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. These units i M G t T i W

are known as the Air Force Overlay Unit and the Navy Overlay Unit. U

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The shoreline at the Ritidian Unit. Photo: Bill Perry/USFWS. 5 6 3

Key Themes/Issues Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Figure 1. Guam NWR

N 144°40'00"E 144°50'00"E " N " 0 0 0 '

Current Management Full Habitat and Species Habitat Enhancement and 0 ' 0 0 ° 4 ° 4 Enhancement Public Use Restrictions 3 Ritidian Point 3 1 M A R I A N A I S L A N D S 1 Environmental Education Farallon de Pajaros N Maug Islands Northwest o Provide a quality Maintain the existing In addition to Alt. A, increase the number of classes participating r Asuncion Island t Field h environmental environmental education in the environmental education program and the number of onsite e Agrihan r n Pagan NORTH education program from program for the Ritidian Unit, outdoor classroom visits. M PACIFIC a Guguan the Ritidian Unit r OCEAN with specific learning objectives i

PHILIPPINE a Sarigan

n !(3 Pati and diverse opportunities with SEA a Anatahan Point I a

s Farallon de Medinilla

l e o the following attributes: a !(9 n Saipan S Anderson Field d • Help fulfill the Territorial s Tinian Anatahan standards for learning. Rota Yigo • Base content on the ! 15 GUAM e !( Anao Refuge’s biological and Point i n culturally-based p Amantes !(3 management goals and i p Point l objectives. i ! !(1 N

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0 Dededo 0 • Support the Service’s ' P Oca Point 0 0 ' 0 ° 3 3 1 ° 3 “Connecting Children with 1 !( 3 ! 1 Nature” priority. Tamuning !(16 ! 8 Non-Wildlife Dependent Uses Hagatna !( ! Barrigada !(6 Picnicking, general Currently, the Refuge provides Continue to allow public uses Prohibit all non-wildlife- Apra Harbor beach use, swimming one of the few areas on Guam that occur in conjunction with dependent public uses. !(4 Orote !(10 for the local public to “connect wildlife-dependent public uses, Point with nature.” Existing uses with restrictions, to ensure the Apra n that occur in conjunction activities are compatible with a Heights e with wildlife observation, Refuge purposes. There will be ! Pago Point c !(5 !(17 photography, environmental an emphasis on connecting the O

education, and interpretation local population with nature, !

include picnicking, sunbathing, Guam NWR in particular, and Alutom !(17 Santa Rita and swimming. the Refuge System in general. !(4A Cultural Resources ! Facpi c N i " !(2 Talofofo 0

f N " 0 Evaluate known and Evaluate known and potential cultural resources and historical sites on the Ritidian Unit, preserve ' Point

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° 2 c 0 potential cultural site integrity, and protect sites from management and visitor activity as part of a cultural heritage 3 ° 2 1 a

3 resources and historical program. The Refuge will comply with applicable cultural heritage laws and regulations, assure P 1 sites on the Ritidian protection and preservation of cultural resources, and encourage cooperative partnerships for the Unit !(4 study and preservation of cultural resources. Continue opportunites Opportunities for cultural practitioners will continue on the Refuge, such as collecting medicinal for cultural plants, visiting caves with cultural significance, and performing traditional ceremonies. practitioners on the Refuge.

Cocos UTM 55N Island WGS84

144°40'00"E 144°50'00"E

Guam National Wildlife Refuge W O R L D V I E W Miles Ritidian Unit (FWS) 0 3 6

Air Force Overlay 0 3 6 Navy Overlay Non Refuge Kilometers Pacific green turtles use Guam NWR the Ritidian Unit's beach. USFWS 5-11-09, DH, 09-122-1.MXD 4 5 Alternatives Summary and Comparison Table

Key Themes / Issues Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Key Themes / Issues Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C

Current Management Full Habitat and Species Habitat Enhancement and Current Management Full Habitat and Species Habitat Enhancement and Enhancement Public Use Restrictions Enhancement Public Use Restrictions

Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species Native Halophytic-xerophytic Plant Community Endangered endemic Cooperate with Guam Division Cooperate with DAWR, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force on Conserve, protect, and Maintain closure to public In addition to Alt. A, control pest species using appropriate species of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources captive rearing and habitat improvements for the Mariana maintain 45 acres of access. Integrated Pest Management techniques. (DAWR), U.S. Navy, and U.S. crow, Micronesian kingfisher, Guam rail, and Mariana fruit bat halophytic-xerophytic Air Force on captive rearing throughout the Ritidian Unit. plant community and habitat improvements for Caves and Cave Dwelling Species the Mariana crow, Micronesian Conserve, protect, and Reduce mud dauber wasps and Minimize mud dauber wasps and other invasive insect species; kingfisher, Guam rail, and maintain caves and cave other invasive insect species at minimize degradation by ungulates and rodents and allow minimal Mariana fruit bat at specific dependent species culturally sensitive sites; restore to no human disturbance. sites on the Ritidian Unit. habitat extensively degraded Guam swiftlet Cooperate with DAWR, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force on habitat improvements for a healthy, self- by ungulates and rodents and sustaining wild population of the federally listed endangered Guam swiftlet at appropriate cave allow minimal to no human locations throughout the Refuge. disturbance. Extirpated species No management activities for Contribute to the restoration of Contribute to the restoration Submerged Marine Habitats extirpated species. suitable, predator-free habitats of suitable, predator-free Protect and maintain Remove marine debris from concrete. Minimize presence of invasive/undesirable species (e.g., on the entirety of the Ritidian habitats on specific sites within approximately 832 acres invasive algae). Minimize impacts by visitors. Unit as a basis for potential the Ritidian Unit as a basis of marine submerged repatriation of extirpated for potential repatriation of lands and the associated species. extirpated species. nearshore waters to a depth of 100’ (30 meters) Turtles Minimize disturbance to nesting green and hawksbill turtles, turtle nests/eggs, and loafing and foraging sites on lands and associated waters of the Ritidian Unit. Wildlife Observation, Photography, Interpretation, and Trails Seriathes nelsonii Cooperate with Guam Department of Forestry, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force to establish healthy, Provide safe, year- Provide safe, year-round, In addition to Alt. A, develop an additional 2 miles of interpretive self-sustaining populations of the endangered tree, Serianthes nelsonii. round, attractive, and attractive, and accessible trails and increase the availability of interpretive materials about accessible opportunities opportunities for Refuge Guam’s endangered and extirpated wildlife. Native Limestone Forest Habitats for Refuge visitors to visitors to observe, photograph, observe, photograph, Protect existing habitat In addition to Alts. A and C, In addition to Alt. A, minimize learn about, and enjoy Refuge Protect, maintain, and learn about, and enjoy restore native limestone characteristics. minimize pest reptilian and feral ungulate species; reduce Refuge habitats and habitats and wildlife with the forest (220 acres) rodent species; support the reptilian pest species; reduce following attributes: See map on page 7 for an wildlife re-introduction of endangered plant pest species; minimize • Interpretive themes overview of the Ritidian Unit’s and/or extirpated species; allow human disturbance. Foraging addressing endangered vegetation and habitat types. natural systems to govern seed pest rodent species will limit species, invasive species, survival. native seed availability. the marine ecosystem, and Shoreline Habitats Guam’s cultural heritage inherent in the Refuge’s Protect, maintain, and Protect 62 acres. The varying Restore 58 acres of habitat and Restore 58 acres of habitat and natural and cultural restore 120 acres of plant communities found in then protect and maintain 120 then protect and maintain 120 resources. shoreline community coastal strand often consist acres of habitat. Restore a 7-10 acres of habitat. Restore a 5 • Ensure accessibility for (sand beach, coastal of an overstory made up of percent cover of native grasses percent cover of native grasses strand, and coastal back individuals with disabilities, coconut, ironwood, and fagot; in coastal strand habitat with in coastal strand habitat with strand forest habitats) a safe environment for all with an understory consisting of less than 10 percent cover of less than 15 percent cover of visitors, and visitor access hibiscus, beach morning glory, invasive grasses, herbaceous, invasive grasses, herbaceous, to natural public use areas. scavola, less than 5 percent and woody species in coastal and woody species in coastal cover of native grasses and strand and coastal back strand strand and coastal back strand Provide fishing Provide safe, year-round, attractive, and accessible opportunities for Refuge visitors to fish. The opportunities herbaceous vegetation, and forest habitat. In addition to forest habitat. In addition to Refuge will advise visitors to keep only what they need and help visitors understand the need for more than 50 percent cover of Alts. A and C, minimize pest Alt. A, minimize feral ungulate fishing regulations. Turtle nesting areas will be protected. invasive grasses and herbaceous reptilian and rodent species; species; reduce reptilian pest species in coastal strand and support the re-introduction of species; reduce plant pest coastal back strand forest endangered and/or extirpated species; minimize human habitat. species; allow natural systems to disturbance. Foraging pest continued on page 6 govern seed survival. rodent species will limit native seed availability. 6 3