Number: 1986-06
WHEREAS, the Virgin Islands National Park was created by Congress “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein…” in order to leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations; and
WHEREAS, there are over 20 species of terrestrial reptiles, amphibians and birds either endemic or indigenous to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico that have been extirpated, severely reduced in numbers, or threatened with extinction from habitat destruction, overhunting or predation from introduced, exotic mammals; and
WHEREAS, the native flora of these islands, which includes federally listed endangered species, has been greatly reduced and continues to be threatened; and
WHEREAS, those Park lands, which are designated an International Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO, are a valuable refuge for remnant native species recognized as internationally significant; and
WHEREAS, the National Park Service’s Natural Resources Management Plan calls for protection, interpretation and preservation of the natural settings; and
WHEREAS, the Virgin Islands National Park Natural Resources Management Plan is based on policies which include the control or eradication of introduced predators in the Virgin Islands National Park; and
WHEREAS, preservation of the natural resources of Virgin Islands National Park is mandated by the Park’s enabling legislation and pertinent to the administration of the Park under the 1916 Organic Act;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 20-23, 1986, in Seattle, Washington, encourages the U.S. Dept. of Interior, National Park Service, to take immediate action to reintroduce native flora and fauna to National Park Service lands in the U.S. Virgin Islands.