Endorsement of the Status of the Caribbean National Forest

Number: 1987-12

 

WHEREAS, officials of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have proposed that the Caribbean National Forest on that island be transferred from the Federal Government to the Government of that island; and

WHEREAS, administration of the Caribbean National Forest during the past 70 years by the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture has more than doubled its size, reforested it totally, and developed facilities for 2,000,000 visitors per year while conserving its natural resources; and

WHEREAS, present long-range plans of the U.S. Forest Service for the National Forest contemplate continuing investments of funds and professional services at levels heretofore unequalled for similar purposes by the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, visibly taxed as it has been, to acquire and conserve its other forest lands on the island and the resources of the coastal zone and adjacent lands;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 19-22, 1987, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, hereby endorses the continued administration and management of the Caribbean National Forest by the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.