Summary

Description

This EA considers four alternatives for the proposed National Wildlife Refuge on Guam and three options for including submerged lands in the proposed Refuge. The endangered species problems on Guam are so complex that a cooperative approach among the Government of Guam, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Service, and the Department of Defense DOD is necessary to stem the rising tide of extinction. Both the Government of Guam and the Federal government share common goals for the recovery of endangered and threatened species, the protection of native flora and fauna, the conservation of unique ecosystems, and the maintenance of native biological diversity. To meet these shared goals and responsibilities, the Service is studying the feasibility of establishing a National Wildlife Refuge Refuge on certain lands and waters on Guam to be managed in coordination with the Government of Guam and the DOD. The proposed Refuge would be established to: 1 protect and recover endangered and threatened species; 2 protect and restore essential habitats for listed species and implement recovery actions; 3 protect and manage migratory birds and other native wildlife and their habitats in order to conserve Guams biological diversity; 4 control predation upon native wildlife by harmful alien species, particularly by the brown tree snake, and protect wildlife from poaching; 5 complement ongoing Government of Guam and Federal programs in natural resources management, conservation, law enforcement, research, and education; 6 provide opportunities for public education, enjoyment of wildlife, cultural use of resources, and scientific research; and 7 maintain the scenic values of the protected areas. The proposed Refuge would be established on Federal and Government of Guam lands through a memorandum of understanding and managed through cooperative agreements among the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Air Force, the Government of Guam, and the Service.