Number: 2006-08
WHEREAS, coastal and wetland habitats on the islands of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John) provide critical nesting, breeding and foraging sites for threatened and endangered species such as the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles, West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), roseate tern (Sterna dougallii), snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), piping plover (Charadrius melodus), the West Indian whistling duck (Dendrocygna arborea) and other species of concern; and
WHEREAS, the Northeastern Ecological Corridor (“NEC”) is 3,149 acres of coastal fringe land unique in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean and includes coral communities, mangroves and a bioluminescent lagoon and is home to over 40 critical marine mammal, bird, snake, sea turtle and plant species; and
WHEREAS, the NEC is one of the most important nesting grounds for leatherback sea turtles in U.S. jurisdiction and was recognized by international experts on April 6, 2002, when participants of the 22nd Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation petitioned the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to designate the NEC as a nature reserve; and
WHEREAS, Great Pond, Coakley Pond, the Annaly Bay watershed of St. Croix, and Botany Bay of St. Thomas and associated coastal areas provide critical mangrove, wetland and mature forest habitat for endangered and threatened species and species of concern; and
WHEREAS, coastal and wetland habitats such as the NEC, Vieques and Culebra in Puerto Rico and Great Pond, Coakley Pond, Annaly Bay, Wills Bay, and Botany Bay in the Virgin Islands are currently threatened by development that would damage or destroy their value to wildlife; and
WHEREAS, coastal habitats in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are increasingly at risk from pollution and destructive human activities as well as rising sea levels and stronger hurricanes exacerbated by global warming from release of greenhouse gases;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, at its annual meeting assembled March 17-18, 2006, in New Orleans, Louisiana, fully endorses designating the Northeastern Ecological Corridor of Puerto Rico and Annaly Bay watershed of St. Croix as nature reserves; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation endorses protecting critical coastal and wetland habitats in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands from development incompatible with sustainable uses by wildlife species of concern; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges Congress and the Administration to support efforts to address climate change to minimize its potential impacts on coastal environments.