NPS 2023 study concludes Rota sites do not meet for designation as a new national park unit

A 2023 special resource study released by the National Park Service on Thursday concludes that Rota’s prehistoric, historic, and limestone forest sites do not meet all criteria necessary to be considered eligible for designation as a new unit of the national park system.

According to the special resource study, based on the analysis performed, the National Park Service finds that the Rota study area does not meet all four criteria for inclusion in the national park system at this time.

In 2009, former Rota Senator Diego Songao proposed a Rota National Park to Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan, who was then in his first term in the U.S. Congress.

Sablan introduced a bill authorizing the necessary study that year and continued working until it was finally enacted into law by then-President Barack Obama in 2014 in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015, P.L. 113-291.

The special resource study was for the prehistoric, historic, and limestone forest sites on Rota to evaluate the national significance of the sites and the feasibility of designating them as a unit of the national park system.

Sablan got the study funded in the Fiscal Year 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act, P.L. 114-113.

Sablan agreed with Sen. Songao that a national park would protect treasured sites, create federal jobs on Rota, and bring the island much-needed tourism.

The NPS preliminary findings indicate that the Chamorro archaeological sites, World War 2 Japanese defensive sites, and limestone forests are suitable for inclusion in the national park system.

According to the 2023 Rota Special Resource Study,  resources within the study area meet established criteria for national significance and suitability, and a portion of the area is conditionally feasible for inclusion in the national park system, dependent on support from the CNMI government and the development of a management agreement, support from Rota and CNMI residents, and sufficient funding for park operations.

However, the study says, analysis of existing management and several additional management frameworks does not demonstrate a clear need for direct NPS management at this time.

The CNMI government is continuing a centuries-long tradition of resource stewardship  while also providing visitor access and information about Rota’s significant sites.

To be feasible, the study says, a national park unit would also be dependent on support from residents on Rota and the CNMI.

At this time, the study says, public support for a potential national park unit on Rota is varied as based on public outreach conducted by NPS in 2020, approximately half of those commenting favored  the establishment of a unit.

The study finds that about one quarter of comments submitted expressed opposition to a unit, and another quarter requested more information about what an NPS unit on Rota would entail before forming an opinion.

Individuals requested additional detail about local use and access, the management approaches for a potential park unit, the level of involvement of the CNMI government, and the potential economic impacts of a unit.

The study says further description of an NPS unit proposal could address public questions and clarify the level of public support.

Delegate Sablan said in his e-kilili newsletter over the weekend that this final report found Rota’s ancient Chamorro sites, limestone forests, and World War 2 fortifications  could be included in the park system based on their unique national significance.

Sablan said the people of Rota have protected these resources for generations, however, through cultural practices, local laws, federal financial assistance,  and the dedicated efforts of Commonwealth agencies.

So, he said, the report finds that there is no need for National Park Service management at this time.

The delegate noted that the report also expressed concern the many visitors a national park would bring to Rota could damage these resources and contribute to the introduction of invasive species.

A 2020 NPS preliminary report found that a Rota National Park is feasible, but only with support from the Commonwealth, Rota municipal government, and backing from Rota and Marianas residents.

Sablan said the final report concluded that public support is “varied.”

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan