Number: 1988-24
WHEREAS, Leone Bay contains the last remaining climax community for Acropora coral on the Island of Tutuila, American Samoa, and this coral is important in growing Acropora throughout the island following a damaging crown-of-thorns starfish infestation; and
WHEREAS, Leone Bay is a wintering and calving area for the endangered humpback whale; and
WHEREAS, this area is an important public recreation and fishing area and is recognized as such by the American Samoa Coastal Zone Management Office; and
WHEREAS, the territorial government proposes to dredge, blast and fill a major portion of Leone Bay in order to build a commercial boat harbor, using funds to be obtained via the Department of the Interior agency on territories; and
WHEREAS, the proposed commercial boat harbor is of questionable economic value, since previous Corps of Engineers analyses showed that costs greatly exceed benefits; and
WHEREAS, the environmental impact assessment was found by numerous agencies and individuals to inadequately address effects on the ecosystem and encompassing the village of Leone; and
WHEREAS, the effects of construction would likely destroy the Acropora coral community and discourage humpback whale calving and destroy a bay of great scenic beauty; and
WHEREAS, the proposal has generated a significant controversy among local residents, natural resources agencies, citizen conservation groups and the media;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 17-20, 1988, in New Orleans, Louisiana requests that a complete detailed Environmental Impact Statement be prepared before any permits are issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and any work is initiated for a new harbor in American Samoa.