Number: 1981-06
WHEREAS, the Island of Culebrita (1) is one of the very few nesting areas of the endangered hawksbill turtle in the entire West Indies, (2) is a nesting area for the endangered loggerhead turtle, and (3) possesses extensive reefs heavily used by endangered turtle species for feeding; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with an unapproved “plan” submitted to the Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs (now the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources) the Department of the Interior is in the process of excluding Culebrita from the National Wildlife Refuge System after a period of 70 years and under provisions of Section 204(c) of P.L. 93-166, which would predestine Culebrita for recreational use; and
WHEREAS, experts in the employ of the same Department of the Interior, after study, have reported conclusions that “lands developed for recreational purposes would be lost as potential wildlife habitat;”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 26-29, 1981, in Norfolk, Virginia, hereby opposes the exclusion of Culebrita from the National Wildlife Refuge System as an act that would significantly deteriorate the human environment.”