[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

ROTA CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES STUDY ACT

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HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN

of the northern mariana islands

in the house of representatives

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, today I am re-introducing the Rota Cultural
and Natural Resources Study Act. The bill authorizes the Secretary of
the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating
certain areas of prehistoric, historic, and natural significance on the
island of Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands as a unit of the
National Park System.
Rota is truly a ``jewel,'' as the gentlewoman from California, Ms.
Napolitano, called the island at last year's hearing on this same bill.
National Park Service representatives who conducted a reconnaissance
survey there in 2004 reported that Rota has the best-preserved village
sites of the ancient Chamorro people and that Rota's native limestone
forests provide habitat to locally and federally protected, rare bird
species.
The House of Representatives approved the Rota Park study under
suspension of the rules in July last year. There was no objection or
controversy. But, unfortunately, the other body did not have time on
its agenda to act before the 111th Congress ended.
Now, I ask that we quickly restart the process of having the Park
Service study the suitability and feasibility of designating parts of
Rota for a national park.
There are time pressures involved. Rota is at a crossroads. Major
land use changes are possible resulting from development by the U.S.
military on the neighboring island of Guam. We have to know which areas
on Rota can be and need to be protected, so that the people of Rota can
maintain the important cultural and natural features of their island
while at the same time taking advantage of opportunities for economic
development.
For these reasons the leaders of Rota support the study. The
Honorable Teresita Santos, Rota's representative in the Northern
Mariana Islands House of Representatives, flew to Washington, DC to
speak in support of the bill at the hearing by Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Oceans, Wildlife and Insular Affairs last year.
The Mayor of Rota, the Honorable Melchor Mendiola, submitted his
letter for the record during last year's consideration of the bill in
the House. He, too, supported passage.
Today, I am including another letter of support for the study bill.
This letter is from the Honorable Paul S. Manglona, President of the
Northern Mariana Islands Senate, who represents Rota in the Senate.
And, of course, the National Park Service reconnaissance survey also
recommended that the cultural and natural resources are truly of
national significance and that the appropriate next step is a
suitability and feasibility study.
The people of Rota have done a tremendous job over the millennia in
protecting the treasures of their remarkable island. Let us support
their efforts. Let us determine whether this ``jewel'' should be
considered by Congress for inclusion in the National Park System.
I ask that my colleagues support the Rota Cultural and Natural
Resources Study Act.

The Senate,

Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature,

Saipan, MP, March 15, 2011.
Hon. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan,
Delegate, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman, I am writing to support the Rota Cultural
and Natural Resources Study Act (Act). The Act authorizes the
Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability of
designating prehistoric, historic and limestone forest sites
on Rota as a unit of the National Park System.
As testified to by Commonwealth Legislator Representative
Teresita Santos for the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife,
Oceans, and Insular Affairs, the Island of Rota is unique in
the Marianas as the only primarily inhabited island spared
fighting during World War II. Consequently, plant and animal
life was spared the near total destruction similar on Saipan
and Tinian.
Archaeologists describe Rota as having the most intact and
numerous historic sites of any island in the Mariana
Archipelago. Rota has the best examples in the Marianas of
Latte houses, the ancient stone houses of the Chamorro
culture. Four prehistoric sites on Rota are included in the
Register of Historic Places, Monchon Archeological District,
Taga Latte Stone Quarry, the Dugi Archeological Site, and the
Chugai Pictograph Cave containing examples of ancient
Chamorro rock art.
In addition to prehistoric sites, historic relics from the
Japanese period--on the Historic Register of Historic
Places--include Kohatsu Kabushiki Kaisha Sugar Mill, Japanese
Coastal Defense Gun and the Japanese Hospital.
Natural resources are prevalent on Rota primarily due to
its native limestone forests that provide habitat for
federally endangered listed species including the Mariana
crow and the Rota bridled white-eye birds, in addition to two
(2) plant species endemic to Rota.
The National Park Service completed a preliminary resource
assessment regarding Rota in 2005, concluding designating
Rota as part of the national park system appeared to be the
best way to ensure the long term protection of Rota's pre-
historic and historic natural and man-made habitat and
structures. I strongly encourage you, along with the Rota
Legislative Delegation, to authorize the Secretary of the
Interior to study the suitability of designating prehistoric,
historic and limestone forest sites on Rota as a unit of the
National Park System.
Sincerely,
Paul A. Manglona,
Senate President.

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