DRAFT RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SIGNIFICANT NATURAL AREAS AND CULTURAL SITES ISLAND OF ROTA COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS September 2005 Prepared by the National Park Service Pacific West Region - Honolulu for the Legislature of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands The findings contained in this draft reconnaissance survey should not be construed as representing either the approval or the disapproval of the National Park Service or the Secretary of the Interior. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. 1 2.0. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................... 3 2.1. Background ......................................................................................................................... 3 2.2. National Park Service Special Resource Studies ................................................................ 4 2.2.1. Significance, Suitability and Feasibility Criteria.......................................................... 4 3.0. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA .............................................................................. 6 3.1. Regional Context................................................................................................................. 6 3.2. Land Use on Rota................................................................................................................ 9 3.3. Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands ...................... 12 3.4. Resource Type.................................................................................................................... 13 4.0. RESOURCE SIGNIFICANCE ............................................................................................. 15 4.1. Current Status of the Study Area ...................................................................................... 15 4.1.1. Habitat Conservation Plan .......................................................................................... 15 4.2. Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................ 16 4.2.1. Significant Prehistoric Sites........................................................................................ 18 4.2.2. Historic Sites............................................................................................................... 28 4.3 Natural Resources ............................................................................................................... 29 4.3.1. Native Forest............................................................................................................... 29 4.3.2. Threatened and Endangered Plants............................................................................. 32 4.3.3. Other Vegetation......................................................................................................... 34 4.3.4. Threatened and Endangered Wildlife ......................................................................... 36 4.3.5. Other Wildlife............................................................................................................. 40 4.3.6. Marine Resources. ...................................................................................................... 40 4.4. Evaluation of Significance ................................................................................................ 43 4.4.1. Cultural Resources...................................................................................................... 43 4.4.2. Natural Resources....................................................................................................... 44 5.0. PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF SUITABILITY AND FEASIBILITY ..................... 46 5.1. Rarity of Resources (Suitability)....................................................................................... 46 5.1.1. Natural History Themes.............................................................................................. 46 5.1.2. History and Prehistory Themes................................................................................... 47 5.1.3. Summary of Suitability............................................................................................... 48 5.2. Feasibility for Addition to the National Park System ....................................................... 48 6.0. ALTERNATIVES FOR RESOURCE PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT ................. 50 6.1. Alternative One. Establish a Unit of the National Park System ....................................... 50 6.1.1. Long-term Resource Protection................................................................................. 50 6.1.2. Effects on Existing Land Uses, Land Ownership and the Local Economy ................ 50 6.1.3. Quantity and Type of Visitor Use Opportunities........................................................ 50 6.1.4. General and Comparative Consideration of Cost ....................................................... 51 6.1.5. Potential for Resource Improvement .......................................................................... 51 6.2. Alternative Two. Establish a Commonwealth Park on Rota............................................. 51 6.2.1. Long-term Resource Protection.................................................................................. 51 6.2.2. Effects on Existing Land Uses, Land Ownership and the Local Economy ................ 51 6.2.3. Quantity and Type of Visitor Use Opportunities........................................................ 52 i 6.2.4. General and Comparative Consideration of Cost ....................................................... 52 6.2.5. Potential for Resource Improvement .......................................................................... 52 6.3. Alternative Three. Establish a National Wildlife Refuge.................................................. 52 6.3.1. Long-Term Resource Protection................................................................................. 52 6.3.2. Effects on Existing Land Uses, Land Ownership and the Local Economy ................ 53 6.3.3. Quantity and Type of Visitor Use Opportunities........................................................ 53 6.3.4. General and Comparative Consideration of Cost ....................................................... 53 6.3.5. Potential for Resource Improvement .......................................................................... 53 6.4. Alternative Four. Designation as National Landmarks..................................................... 53 6.4.1. Long-Term Resource Protection................................................................................. 54 6.4.2. Effects on Existing Land Uses, Land Ownership and the Local Economy ................ 54 6.4.3. Quantity and Type of Visitor Use Opportunities........................................................ 54 6.4.4. General and Comparative Consideration of Cost ....................................................... 55 6.4.5. Potential for Resource Improvement .......................................................................... 55 6.5. Alternative Five. Protection By Locally Designated Conservation Areas........................ 55 6.5.1. Long-Term Resource Protection................................................................................. 55 6.5.2. Effects on Existing Land Uses, Land Ownership and the Local Economy ................ 55 6.5.3. Quantity and Type of Visitor Use Opportunities........................................................ 56 6.5.4. General and Comparative Consideration of Cost ....................................................... 56 6.5.5. Potential for Resource Improvement .......................................................................... 56 7.0. FINDINGS ............................................................................................................................ 57 7.1. Position of CNMI and Rota Officials................................................................................ 57 7.2. Community Interest and Support ....................................................................................... 57 7.3. Large Natural Areas and Significant Cultural Sites.......................................................... 57 7.3.1. Mochon Latte Stone Village....................................................................................... 57 7.3.2. Taga Latte Stone Quarry............................................................................................. 57 7.3.3. Chugai Pictograph Cave ............................................................................................. 58 7.3.4. Alaguan Bay Ancient Village..................................................................................... 58 7.3.5. Native Limestone Forest............................................................................................. 59 7.3.6. Concepts for Resource Management and Visitor Use ................................................ 60 7.4. Reconnaissance Survey Findings...................................................................................... 62 8.0. SELECTED REFERENCES................................................................................................. 64 9.0. PREPARERS AND CONTRIBUTERS...............................................................................