The World Bank/WBI’s CBNRM Initiative
Case Received: February 10, 1998
Author: Greg L. Schroer, Resources Northwest Consultants,
Tel: +1 425 828 3858
Email: mischroer@attmail.com
Sustainable Development on the Island of Rota
Long-term economic health of communities is directly linked to the long-term conservation of natural resources. Environmental health, safety, aesthetic and cultural resources also have a direct affect on the long-term strength and sustainability of communities. The citizens and government leaders of the Island of Rota, in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), have acknowledged these facts by developing an island-wide Natural Resource Conservation Plan (NRCP) for Rota. The draft plan is currently being finalized, and it is expected to be available for public review in 1998.
The draft NRCP defines a 50-year commitment that conserves portions of Rota’s natural resources, including endangered species, while simultaneously streamlining economic development opportunities. This plan will be administered by local managers, local policy makers, and others directly responsible for Rota land management. These officials and citizens will be responsible for administering and managing this NRCP in accordance with CNMI law, the CNMI constitution, and requirements of the federal Endangered Species Act. Goals of the plan are:
1. To protect portions of Rota’s public natural resources, including its forests and other plants, waters, wildlife and other species, recreation scenery and open space, so that future generations may benefit from these resources.
2. Provide conservation and management sufficient to sustain native ecosystems, thus maximizing to the extent practicable, the likelihood of recovering Rota’s endangered and threatened species.
Rota is one of 17 islands in the Mariana archipelago, which is approximately 3,750 miles southwest of Hawaii. Sixteen of these islands are part of the CNMI; Guam is a United States Territory. Rota is the third largest island in the CNMI. It is approximately 11.5 miles long and 3.0 miles wide, with an area of 21,080 acres. The climate on Rota is topical marine with average annual temperatures of approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit, 80 inches of rainfall and about 80 percent humidity. Rainfall averages 10.7 inches per month during the wet season and 3.8 inches per month during the dry season (January to June).
A majority of the CNMI population (estimated at 65,000) is on the three southern most islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota. During the last five years, Rota experienced a strong increase in population resulting from births, citizens returning to live on the island, and immigrants. Rota’s 1995 population was 3,515, and the population is predicted to reach 10,493 by year 2020 (Tenorio & Assoc. 1996).
Tourism is currently the second largest employer on Rota and Rota’s leadership has adopted steps to strengthen that industry. Successful ecotourism demands natural landscapes, clean coastal waters and beaches, and an appreciation of native wildlife and local culture. Such an industry also maintains native ecosystems and cultural traditions which will benefit future generations of Rotanese.
The CNMI and US governments share the goal of protecting the natural environment of the CNMI, including its land, air, water, and biological resources. The island of Rota has thus far not experienced the rapid development that has occurred on neighboring Guam and Saipan, thus it still retains many of its unique natural resources. Increasing pressures for development and homesteading land transfers, however, could result in a serious loss of these natural resources. For example, continued clearing for proposed and potential agricultural homesteads and other proposed developments could eliminate a large percentage of Rota’s native forests. This forest clearing has raised concerns by Rota citizens, their representatives in the CNMI, and the Federal government. These concerns include:
1. Degradation of the exceptional quality of fresh and coastal waters, as well as coral reefs that are some of the healthiest in Micronesia.
2. Degradation of a natural beauty that lures thousands of guests each year and which is expected to be a major industry in the future.
3. Loss of the largest expanse of native limestone forest remaining in the Mariana Islands, which would also result in losses of medicinal plants, hunting opportunities, and other cultural values.
4. Loss of habitats and populations of plant and animal species listed by the CNMI and the Federal governments as threatened or endangered with extinction.
5. Declining populations of numerous other species expected to experience further losses in the future.
Recognizing that the long-term economic health of Rota is directly linked to the long-term conservation of their natural resources, the CNMI has formulated the NRCP that protects portions of Rota’s forest, waters, open space, scenery and endangered species.
One wildlife and one plant species on Rota have been listed as endangered, and a second wildlife species is in the process of being proposed as a threatened species. Two other endangered wildlife species previously inhabited Rota but are now likely to be extinct on the island. Sixteen other plant and wildlife species are listed as species of concern that will likely be listed in the future due to known or expected habitat and population declines. Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has regulatory responsibility for protecting endangered species and ensuring that conservation measures are in place to offset the incidental taking of endangered species for otherwise lawful activities.
Up to now, developments which affected the endangered Mariana crow (Corvus Kubaryi) have been considered on a case-by-case basis. This involves a lengthy review process that occupies a large amount of time by staff of numerous agencies. It also results in costly delays for the proposed developments and hardships to the residents of Rota. Non-federal governments, such as the CNMI, can take an alternative approach to this costly process by developing a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), as provided for in section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA.
HCP’s have become an accepted tool on the U.S. mainland but have yet to be applied in the Pacific Islands. The Rota Natural Resources Conservation Plan (NRCP) will be the first HCP completed for an island, and it represents a new approach to addressing cumulative environmental effects on island ecosystems.
In 1996, Resources Northwest Consultants (RNC) was hired to develop an island-wide conservation plan by the CNMI. RNI personnel worked under the direction of the Rota NRCP Steering Committee. The 20-member Steering Committee consists of representatives of all major CNMI agencies, the Rota Mayor’s office, and Rota’s CNMI legislative representatives (three Senators and one Representative). Approximately 20 other technical specialists also have participated and public input has been solicited through meetings and hearings.
Benefits of the NRCP will include:
1. The process for permitting development projects will become more streamlined by addressing long-term natural resources conservation and cumulative impacts.
2. Some traditional cultural uses of Rota’s natural resources will be sustained, including:
3. Watershed conservation will maintain stream water quality, reduce soil erosion, and reduce coral reef degradation.
4. Threatened and endangered populations of wildlife and plant species will be protected according to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA. This would allow for limited reduction in endangered species populations in the course of development during the life span of the plan.
5. Native forests and other unique plant communities will be conserved.
6. Scenic values critical to tourism will be protected.
7. Economic assistance programs will be initiated, such as:
This NRCP provides an effective long-term method for providing sustainable development on Rota. This plan conserves portions of Rota’s natural resources and helps sustain cultural traditions and economic opportunities. The CNMI agencies and USFWS are providing technical assistance and a legal foundation for this planning process, and the citizens of Rota are contributing to the details of the plan.
This plan requires a long-term commitment by the citizens of Rota, and the governments of the CNMI and the US. These participants have shown the wisdom and foresight to maintain natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations. This plan will be implemented in accordance to the stated goals, however, innovation will be encouraged within the framework of those goals. This plan will be considered a success many decades from now when it has conserved the integrity of Rota’s ecosystems while also helping sustain Rota’s economy and cultural traditions.
Tenorio & Assoc., Inc. 1996. Physical and Economic Master Plan for Rota. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 462 pp.