Vieques National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement

              Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement
Photo provided by
Jim Abernethy’s Scuba Adventures
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Oscar Diaz - Refuge Manager
Viques Office Park
Road 200, KM 0.04
Vieques, PR 00765
Phone: 787.851.7258
Phone: 787.741.2138
Fax: .787.741.2158
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
1 800/344 WILD
http://www.fws.gov
August 2007
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
and Environmental Impact Statement
Vieques
National Wildlife Refuge
UUSSFFWWSS PPhhoottooss
Comprehensive Conservation Plans provide long-term guidance for
management decisions; set forth goals, objectives, and strategies
needed to accomplish refuge purposes; and identify the Fish and
Wildlife Service's best estimate of future needs. These plans detail
program planning levels that are sometimes substantially above
current budget allocations and, as such, are primarily for Service
strategic planning and program prioritization purposes. The plans
do not constitute a commitment for staffing increases, operational
and maintenance increases, or funding for future land acquisition.
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
and Environmental Impact Statement
U.S. Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
Southeast Region
August 2007
FINAL COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLAN/
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
For
VIEQUES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO
U.S. Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
Southeast Region
Atlanta, Georgia
August 2007
Table of Contents i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION A. FINAL COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT STATEMENT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................... 1
I. INTRODUCTION, PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION ........................................................... 1
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1
Purpose of and Need For Action .................................................................................................. 1
Project Area ................................................................................................................................. 2
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mission ......................................................................................... 6
Service Mission Statement .................................................................................................. 6
National Wildlife Refuge System Mission and Goals .................................................................... 6
Refuge System Mission Statement ..................................................................................... 6
Refuge System Goals ......................................................................................................... 6
Service Policies, Legal Mandates, and National and Regional Conservation Plans .............................. 6
Refuge Purposes and Land Acquisition Authority ........................................................................ 8
Refuge Operational Plans (Step-Down Plans) .................................................................... 9
Refuge Vision Statement .................................................................................................... 9
Refuge Goals .............................................................................................................................. 10
The Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process ................................................................ 11
Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities ......................................................................................... 13
Issues Outside The Scope Of This CCP/EIS .................................................................... 14
Plan Amendment and Revision .................................................................................................. 14
Legal and Policy Guidance ......................................................................................................... 15
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT .................................................................. 17
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 17
Physical Environment ................................................................................................................. 17
Climate .............................................................................................................................. 17
Topography ....................................................................................................................... 17
Geology ............................................................................................................................. 21
Soils ................................................................................................................................. 21
Hydrology .......................................................................................................................... 26
Air Quality .......................................................................................................................... 29
Contaminants/Hazardous Material .................................................................................... 29
Aesthetics .......................................................................................................................... 32
Roads, Utilities, and Infrastructure .................................................................................... 32
Biological Resources .................................................................................................................. 34
Fauna ............................................................................................................................... 34
Flora ................................................................................................................................. 37
Vegetation Communities ................................................................................................... 38
Threatened and Endangered Species (Federally Listed) .................................................. 44
Socioeconomic Characteristics .................................................................................................. 53
Cultural History .................................................................................................................. 53
Employment ...................................................................................................................... 56
Population ......................................................................................................................... 58
Political Setting .................................................................................................................. 59
Public Use ......................................................................................................................... 59
Archaeological Resources ................................................................................................ 60
Wilderness ........................................................................................................................ 63
III. ALTERNATIVES ............................................................................................................................ 65
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 65
Formulating Alternatives ............................................................................................................. 65
General Description Of The Alternatives .................................................................................... 65
Alternative A (Current Management Or No-Action) ........................................................... 66
Alternative B (Resource Emphasis) .................................................................................. 66
Alternative C (Habitat and Public Use Emphasis) - Proposed Alternative ........................ 66
Proposed Alternative ......................................................................................................... 66
Compatibility Determinations ...................................................................................................... 66
Management Highlights Common To All Alternatives ................................................................ 67
Relationship Of Issues To Goals, Objectives, and Strategies .................................................... 69
Alternative A (No-Action – Current Management) ...................................................................... 69
Management Focus .......................................................................................................... 69
Alternative B (Resource Emphasis) ............................................................................................ 81
Management Focus .......................................................................................................... 81
Alternative C (Habitat and Public Use Emphasis) .................................................................... 97
(Proposed Alternative) ................................................................................................................ 97
Management Focus .......................................................................................................... 97
Actions Or Proposals Considered But Not Fully Developed Or Included In The Alternatives .. 150
IV. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ...................................................................................... 153
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 153
Effects Common To All Alternatives ......................................................................................... 154
Physical Environment ...................................................................................................... 154
Biological Resources ....................................................................................................... 160
SocioEconomic Factors .................................................................................................. 160
Comparison Of Effects Of The Alternatives .............................................................................. 161
Physical Environment ...................................................................................................... 162
Aesthetics ........................................................................................................................ 164
Biological Resources ....................................................................................................... 164
SocioEconomic Factors .................................................................................................. 166
Mitigation Measures To Be Incorporated In All Alternatives ........................................... 167
Cumulative Impacts .................................................................................................................. 168
Short-Term Use Versus Long-Term Productivity ...................................................................... 168
Unavoidable Adverse Impacts .................................................................................................. 169
Irreversible And Irretrievable Commitments Of Resources ...................................................... 170
V. CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION .................................................................................... 175
SECTION B. APPENDICES
APPENDIX I. GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................ 179
APPENDIX II. REFERENCES AND LITERATURE CITED............................................................... 187
APPENDIX III. RELEVANT LEGAL MANDATES ............................................................................. 191
Table of Contents iii
National Wildlife Refuge System Authorities ............................................................................ 191
Key Legislation/Policies For Plan Implementation .................................................................... 191
Legislation Specific To Vieques NWR ...................................................................................... 198
APPENDIX IV. SERVICE COMMENTS ON VIEQUES CULEBRA MASTER PLAN FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT .......................................................................................... 237
APPENDIX V. REFUGE RESOURCE INFORMATION .................................................................... 241
Soils ......................................................................................................................................... 241
Fauna ...................................................................................................................................... 243
APPENDIX VI. WILDERNESS REVIEW .......................................................................................... 255
APPENDIX VII. DEMOGRAPHIC STATISTICS ............................................................................... 264
APPENDIX VIII. PUBLIC SCOPING ................................................................................................. 268
Summary Of Public Scoping Comments and Issues ................................................................ 268
Summary of Public Review Comments and Service Response ............................................... 272
APPENDIX IX INTRA-SERVICE SECTION 7 CONSULTATION...................................................... 292
APPENDIX X. COMPATIBILITY DETERMINATIONS ...................................................................... 300
APPENDIX XI. MANAGEMENT METHODS AND PRIORITIES ...................................................... 312
Partners In Flight Conservation Recommendations ................................................................. 312
Archaeological and Historic Resource Protection .................................................................... 313
Ecosystem Management .......................................................................................................... 313
APPENDIX XII. DRAFT COMMUNITY INTEREST SURVEY CONDUCTED BY UNIVERSITY OF
PUERTO RICO SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM ........................................................... 322
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Vieques location map .......................................................................................................... 4
Figure 2. Vieques National Wildlife Refuge boundaries ...................................................................... 5
Figure 3. Vieques average monthly rainfall ....................................................................................... 18
Figure 4. Vieques topographic map (west) ....................................................................................... 19
Figure 5. Vieques topographic map (east) ........................................................................................ 20
Figure 6. Vieques geological features (west) .................................................................................... 22
Figure 7. Vieques geological features (east) .................................................................................... 23
Figure 8. Vieques soils (west) ........................................................................................................... 24
Figure 9. Vieques soils (east) ........................................................................................................... 25
Figure 10. Vieques watersheds (west) ................................................................................................ 27
Figure 11. Vieques watersheds (east) ................................................................................................ 28
Figure 12. Opened/closed areas ......................................................................................................... 31
Figure 13. Threatened and endangered species (west) ..................................................................... 45
Figure 14. Threatened and endangered species (east) ...................................................................... 46
Figure 15. Cultural resources (west) ................................................................................................... 54
Figure 16. Cultural resources (east) ................................................................................................... 55
Figure 17. Organization of personnel under Alternative A .................................................................. 80
Figure 18. Organization of personnel under Alternative B .................................................................. 96
Figure 19. Proposed alternative public uses (west) .......................................................................... 107
Figure 20. Proposed alternative public uses (east) ........................................................................... 108
Figure 21. Proposed alternative roads and trails .............................................................................. 109
Figure 22. Organization of personnel under Alternative C ................................................................ 118
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Issues identified during scoping .......................................................................................... 13
Table 2. Vieques rare plant species .................................................................................................. 39
Table 3. Commonwealth critical species ........................................................................................... 50
Table 4. Average annual employment growth, by municipality (1990-2002) .................................... 57
Table 5. Vieques selected population characteristics (from: U.S. Census 2000) ............................. 58
Table 6. Archaeological site predictive model ................................................................................... 62
Table 7. Comparison of alternatives ............................................................................................... 120
Table 8. Environmental consequences evaluation factors .............................................................. 153
Table 9. Criteria for rating severity of impacts ................................................................................ 156
Table 10. Potential economic effects of alternatives ......................................................................... 167
Table 11. Comparison of funding needs by alternative ..................................................................... 170
Table 12. Comparison of environmental consequences ................................................................... 172
Table 13. Vieques Refuge core planning team ................................................................................. 175
Table 14. Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge biological review team ................................. 177
SECTION A. FINAL COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLAN
AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Executive Summary
The Fish and Wildlife Service prepared this Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Impact
Statement (CCP/EIS) to guide the management of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge in the
municipality of Vieques, Puerto Rico. This document outlines alternatives and identifies a proposed
alternative for management of the refuge for the next 15 years, as mandated by the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997.
The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge was created from former Navy managed lands by
congressional actions in 2001 and 2003. The refuge consists of approximately 17,771 acres--3,100
acres on western Vieques and 14,671 acres on eastern Vieques.
The refuge lands were historically used for agricultural purposes and more recently for military
training activities. As a result, the wildlife habitats and communities are significantly altered and non-native
invasive species are common along with remnants of native habitats. As a result of the military
training, portions of the refuge contain unexploded ordnance and other contaminants. These areas
have been classified as a “superfund site” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Cleanup of these portions of the refuge is being
conducted by the Navy in accordance with CERCLA. In addition, a Federal Facilities Agreement
between the Navy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Fish and Wildlife Service, and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico will help to guide the cleanup process.
Although the short-term use and management of areas contaminated with unexploded ordnance
would be restricted, the alternatives in this CCP/EIS were developed with the assumption that these
lands would be cleaned of any contaminants that would pose a threat to either the wildlife or visitors
to the refuge. Until the lands are cleaned and certified as suitable for a proposed use, the Service
would not be able to implement portions of this plan. After cleanup and certification, implementation
of management proposals would progress in accordance with agency priorities.
Before the Service began the development of the CCP/EIS, it hosted a series of public scoping
meetings to solicit public opinion and identify issues the plan should address. To address the existing
habitat conditions, the ongoing cleanup activities, the issues identified by the public and the mission
and purpose of the refuge, the planning team established a series of goals for the plan. The goals
are: 1) Conserve, enhance, and restore native plant communities and wetland habitats and their
associated fish, wildlife, and plants, representative of the native biological diversity that would have
been found on Vieques Refuge lands prior to major agricultural and military use of the lands; 2)
Monitor, protect, and recover special status animals, plants, and species of management interest; 3)
Provide opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation and education to enhance public appreciation,
understanding, and enjoyment of refuge wildlife, habitats, and cultural history; 4) Through cooperative
efforts with partners, ensure the refuge is cleaned of all classes of contaminants that could pose a
threat to the health and safety of the wildlife, residents, staff, and visitors; 5) Provide the resources
needed to implement the selected management alternative and ensure the other goals and objectives
identified in the plan can be achieved; and 6) Develop effective and open communication with the
community to raise public awareness of refuge programs, management decisions, the mission of the
Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wildlife Refuge System by working closely with the
Vieques citizens and interested groups and organizations. Based on these goals and information
obtained during the scoping process, the planning team developed three alternatives to help address
the issues identified and achieve the vision for the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge.
ALTERNATIVE A (CURRENT MANAGEMENT OR NO ACTION)
The current management alternative provides for a continuation of the existing level of management.
Staffing would remain at the current levels and ongoing programs and activities would continue with
only minor changes and no new programs.
ALTERNATIVE B (RESOURCE EMPHASIS)
This alternative focuses on wildlife and habitat management but maintains the existing visitor
programs and public uses. Habitat management and monitoring would be expanded and agreements
with research, governmental, and non-governmental organizations would be developed to provide
information needed for the management of forests, grasslands, coastal wetlands, beaches, and listed
species and their habitats. In partnership with others, programs would be developed for management
of nesting sea turtle populations on Vieques beaches.
ALTERNATIVE C (HABITAT MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC USE EMPHASIS)
(PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE)
This alternative directs the refuge toward a realistic and achievable level of both habitat management and
public use and provides a management program that addresses the needs of the resources and, where
appropriate and compatible with the refuge purposes, the needs of the community. This alternative
provides for increases in management efforts to restore the refuge habitats without diminishing the wildlife
values associated with the current conditions. There is also a focus on management activities to benefit
threatened and endangered species. This includes the possible reintroduction of species extirpated from
Vieques, such as the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird, and expansion of populations of species already
found on the refuge, such as Stahlia monosperma and Goetzia elegans. Priority public uses, as identified
in the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, would be expanded and other uses that
are determined to be compatible with the refuge mission may be permitted. Historic and archaeological
resources would be stabilized and, where possible, interpretation of their significance and role in the
evolution of Vieques would be provided.
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 1
I. Introduction, Purpose of and Need for
Action
INTRODUCTION
The proposed action considered in this document is the development and implementation of a
comprehensive conservation plan that achieves the purpose, vision, and goals for the Vieques
National Wildlife Refuge; contributes to the National Wildlife Refuge System mission; addresses the
significant issues identified during the development of the plan; complies with relevant legislative and
policy mandates, and is consistent with principles of sound fish and wildlife management.
This Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (CCP/EIS) for the Vieques
National Wildlife Refuge combines two documents required by federal laws: a comprehensive
conservation plan required by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (Public
Law 105-57) and an environmental impact statement required by the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969.
The comprehensive conservation plan would be used as a tool by the refuge staff and partners to
provide direction for refuge management and restoration activities. It would guide management
decisions over the next 15 years and identify strategies for achieving refuge goals and objectives.
The environmental impact statement describes a range of alternative management actions and
programs that are being considered for inclusion in the final comprehensive conservation plan. Upon
completion of the review process, public involvement, and analysis of all available information, the
comprehensive conservation plan would be finalized. The CCP/EIS is divided into 5 chapters: I)
Introduction, Purpose of and Need for Action; II) Affected Environment; III) Alternatives, Objectives,
and Strategies; IV) Environmental Consequences; and V) Consultation and Coordination.
Appendices provide supporting information for the CCP/EIS and provide the reader with background
information to aid understanding of the document’s contents.
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION
The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge is one of more than 540 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge
System managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Overall, there is a need to manage the refuge in
accordance with the Refuge System mission, goals, and policies as described in the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (Appendix III). A comprehensive conservation plan,
required by the Refuge System Improvement Act, is needed to address significant problems that may
adversely affect the populations and habitats of fish, wildlife, and plants and the actions necessary to
correct or mitigate such problems. Specifically, the focus of the plan for the Vieques Refuge seeks to:
ensure the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of refuge habitats; restore
degraded forest, coastal and wetland habitats; evaluate and manage visitor use; and ensure that the
clean-up of the refuge is adequate to protect the environment, the fish and wildlife resources, and the
visitors to the refuge. In addition, the Refuge System Improvement Act requires the Service to
consider providing opportunities for people to experience wildlife-dependent recreation.
2 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
The purpose of this comprehensive conservation plan is to develop a vision for the refuge and
provide management guidance through science, maintenance, restoration ecology, and compatible
public use of refuge resources during the next 15 years. Specifically, the plan would:
• set a long-term vision for the refuge;
• establish management goals, objectives, and strategies;
• define compatible recreational uses of the refuge;
• determine appropriate levels of use;
• outline habitat and public use projects that support the goals and objectives;
• identify areas of the refuge suitable for public use activities;
• describe highest priorities for habitat restoration and management; and
• adopt step-down plans for specific management activities.
The purpose of the environmental impact statement is to describe alternative plans for managing the
refuge. The environmental impact statement shows a range of alternative management activities and
public uses considered during the planning process and evaluates the possible environmental effects
of the various alternatives on the natural, social, cultural, and economic environment.
The comprehensive conservation plan would provide a framework for future refuge management.
The environmental analysis of the alternatives for this plan is at the conceptual planning level and
does not provide detailed site plans and does not have exact locations for facilities.
PROJECT AREA
Vieques is an island municipality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and is approximately
seven miles east of the main island (Figure 1). It has an area of about 51 square miles or
33,120 acres (13,403 ha). The refuge consists of two major parcels of land on the eastern
and western portions of the island. The total area of the refuge is 17,769 acres (7,191 ha) or
approximately 54 percent of the island (Figure 2). The central portion of the island contains
two major population centers, Isabel Segunda on the north and Esperanza on the south.
Additional details about the island are provided in Chapter II.
Western Refuge Unit
Vieques Refuge, on the island of Vieques to the east of the main island of Puerto Rico, was
established in May 2001 through the legislated transfer of the Navy lands on the western
portion of Vieques. At that time, portions of the Naval Activities Support Detachment property
were transferred to the municipality of Vieques, the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust and the
Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. These lands consisted of approximately
8,200 acres (3,280 hectares) on the western end of Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. Although
the property is mainly undeveloped, it was used by the Navy from 1943 until 2001 for a variety
of purposes including: ammunition storage, operation of communications facilities, handling
and disposal of munitions and other activities; and support services for Naval Station
Roosevelt Roads on the main island of Puerto Rico and the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training
Facility on the eastern end of Vieques.
On May 1, 2001, approximately 3,100 acres (1,220 hectares) comprising the Conservation Zones
designated in Section IV of the 1983 Memorandum of Understanding between the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Secretary of the Navy were transferred to Department of
the Interior. A parcel of 800 acres (320 hectares), composed of the additional Conservation
Zones identified in the draft environmental assessment for the western Vieques land transfer, was
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 3
conveyed to the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust. The remaining Navy lands on western Vieques,
approximately 4,200 acres (1,740 hectares), were transferred to the municipality of Vieques.
The final legislation directed the Navy to undertake activities needed to identify and clean-up
contaminated areas as required by CERCLA to facilitate utilization of the property for the
benefit of the municipality of Vieques. It also directed the Department of the Interior to
administer the Conservation Zones transferred to it as a wildlife refuge under the National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 United States Code [USC] 688 dd).
As mandated by Public Law 106-398 (Appendix III), a cooperative agreement for the
management of the Conservation Areas was developed and signed by the Commonwealth
Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust,
and the Fish and Wildlife Service on April 26, 2001. This cooperative agreement established
that, subject to funding availability, the agencies responsible for management of the
conservation lands would develop a management plan for the conservation of the resources
on the areas to be transferred, and would also include the extensive area of sea grasses
northwest of the Mosquito Pier, as identified in the 1983 Memorandum of Understanding. On
November 20, 2002, a Management Plan for the Western Vieques Conservation Areas was
signed by the Commonwealth Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental
Resources, the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust, and the Regional
Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Concurrent with congressional consideration of the transfer legislation, the Puerto Rico
Planning Board, in conjunction with other Commonwealth agencies and the municipality of
Vieques, developed a proposed land use plan to be implemented upon conveyance of the
property to the municipality. The municipality of Vieques concurred with the proposed
Vieques Land Use Plan, prepared by the Puerto Rico Planning Board, and agreed to manage
and control the land to be conveyed to it consistent with the terms of the land use plan.
Eastern Refuge Unit
On December 28, 2001, Public Law 107-107 amended the previous Spence Act (Public Law
106-398) to provide the Navy with the authority to close the Vieques Naval Training Range
and discontinue training at the range. This law also provided for the transfer of the Live
Impact Area, Conservation Zones, and all other Department of Defense real properties on the
eastern side of the island to the Department of the Interior. The area transferred to the Fish
and Wildlife Service jurisdiction was approximately 14,669 acres (7,191 ha). This included the
Live Impact Area identified in the legislation as a separate parcel to be managed as a
wilderness, with no public access permitted. In order to carry out the provisions of this law
requiring the transfer, the Departments of Navy and Interior developed Memoranda of
Agreement for East and West Vieques lands to define the conditions of the transfer and the
responsibilities of the two agencies with regard to land management and environmental
remediation. Among the responsibilities defined is the Navy acceptance of responsibility to
fund and implement any response actions required by law to address environmental
contamination resulting from the prior Navy activities. Copies of the Memoranda of
Agreement between the Navy and Department of the Interior for both the eastern and western
refuge lands are provided in Appendix III.
4 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Figure 1. Vieques location map
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 5
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Municipality of Vieques
PR Conservation Trust
Vieques NWR Refuge Limits
Atlantic Ocean
Caribbean Sea
0 1 2 4 Miles
0 1 2 4 Kilometers  
Figure 2. Vieques National Wildlife Refuge boundaries
6 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE MISSION
SERVICE MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is:
“Working with others, to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for
the continuing benefit of the American people." The Fish and Wildlife Service is the only agency of
the U.S. Government with that primary mission.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM MISSION AND GOALS
REFUGE SYSTEM MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is:
“To administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and
where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the
United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.”
REFUGE SYSTEM GOALS
The following goals guide the administration, management, and growth of the National Wildlife
Refuge System:
􀁹􇤠 To fulfill our statutory duty to achieve refuge purpose(s) and further the System mission.
􀁹􇤠 To conserve, restore, where appropriate, and enhance all species of fish, wildlife, and plants
that are endangered or threatened with becoming endangered.
􀁹􇤠 To perpetuate migratory bird, interjurisdictional fish, and marine mammal populations.
􀁹􇤠 To conserve a diversity of fish, wildlife, and plants. We sustain all native species of animals
and plants that inhabit units of the System through our efforts to maintain the biological
diversity, biological integrity, and environmental health of each unit.
􀁹􇤠 To conserve and restore, where appropriate, representative ecosystems of the United States,
including the ecological processes characteristic of those ecosystems.
􀁹􇤠 To foster understanding and instill appreciation of fish, wildlife, and plants, and their
conservation, by providing the public with safe, quality, and compatible wildlife-dependent
public use. Such use includes hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and
environmental education and interpretation.
SERVICE POLICIES, LEGAL MANDATES, AND NATIONAL AND REGIONAL CONSERVATION PLANS
Throughout the development of this CCP/EIS, the planning team complied with and considered
guidance found in numerous documents. All refuges are guided by the mission and goals of the
National Wildlife Refuge System, the designated purpose of the refuge unit as described in
establishing legislation or executive orders, Service laws and policy, and international treaties. Key
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 7
concepts and guidance of the Refuge System are covered in the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, the Refuge Recreation Act of 1962, Title 50 of the Code of Federal
Regulations, the Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, and the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997. The Refuge System Improvement Act amends the Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 by including a unifying mission for the Refuge System, a new process for
determining compatible uses on refuges, and a requirement that each refuge will be managed under
a comprehensive conservation plan. The Refuge System Improvement Act also states that wildlife
conservation is the priority of Refuge System lands and that the Secretary of the Interior shall ensure
that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of refuge lands are maintained. Each
refuge must be managed to fulfill the Refuge System mission and the specific purposes for which it
was established. The Act requires the Service to monitor the status and trends of fish, wildlife, and
plants on each refuge. Additionally, the Act identifies six priority wildlife-dependent recreational uses.
These uses are hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental
education and interpretation. As priority public uses of the Refuge System, these uses will receive
enhanced consideration over other uses in planning and management.
Lands within the Refuge System are different from other multiple-use public lands in that they are not
opened to public uses unless the uses are first determined to be compatible with the purposes of the
refuge. A compatible use is a use that, in the sound professional judgment of the refuge manager,
will not materially interfere with or detract from the fulfillment of the mission of the Refuge System or
the purposes of the refuge. Sound professional judgment is further defined as a decision that is
consistent with principles of fish and wildlife management and administration, available science and
resources, and adherence with law. The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act
establishes the procedures to conduct compatibility determinations for any proposed use, which
include a public review and comment period.
The Act requires that a comprehensive conservation plan be in place for each refuge by the year
2012. It further requires that members of the public have an opportunity to be involved in plan
development and revision.
The Department of the Navy transferred a total of 17,769 acres on eastern and western Vieques,
Puerto Rico, to the administrative jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior as required by the
Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Public Law 106-398), as
amended by Section 1049 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (Public Law
107-107). In accordance with the law, the Department of the Interior is required to develop the land
for use as a wildlife refuge, with the former live impact area to be managed as a wilderness area and
closed to the public. In accordance with the terms of the Memoranda of Agreement between the
Departments of Interior and Navy, and the Federal Facilities Agreement between the Environmental
Protection Agency, Departments of Interior and Navy and the Commonwealth, the Fish and Wildlife
Service will participate with the Navy and the other agencies in future decisions and actions regarding
the long-term environmental clean-up at Vieques. While the Department of the Interior is directed to
protect and conserve the natural resources through designation of the lands as a national wildlife
refuge, the Department of the Navy retains the responsibility for conducting the environmental clean-up
of this property.
A Management Plan for the Western Vieques Conservation Areas (November 2002) was prepared in
accordance with the land transfer legislation. That document provides background and
recommendations for management of the refuge, Puerto Rico Conservation Trust lands, and the
northwest sea grass beds. During the development of this CCP/EIS, the recommendations and
objectives described in that document were considered and incorporated as appropriate. The
Management Plan for the Western Vieques Conservation Areas is subject to review and revision
8 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
every five years. During these reviews, the Commonwealth DNER, the Conservation Trust and the
Fish and Wildlife Service should ensure the Western Vieques Conservation Area Management Plan
and the proposals contained in the Service’s CCP are compatible with each other and that the
management goals are consistent. A close working relationship between these three agencies with
resource management responsibilities for adjacent areas is of paramount importance to ensure the
overall management goals and objectives for these areas are met.
The Fish and Wildlife Service’s Caribbean Ecosystem Team prepared the Caribbean Ecosystem Plan
in October 2000. At that time, the Vieques Refuge had not yet been established and the ecosystem
plan did not address specific issues to be considered for Vieques. However, several of the general
issues identified in that plan, such as improving law enforcement capability, protection of coastal
resources, sensitive species recovery, and improving communications, have been considered and
incorporated into this document.
In December 2004, the commonwealth approved the Vieques and Culebra Master Plan for
Sustainable Development. Some of the recommendations made in that plan relate to portions of
the Vieques Refuge and are addressed herein. While some of the recommendations are in
conflict with the mission and policies of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wildlife
Refuge System and cannot be addressed in this plan, the Vieques CCP/EIS Planning Team has
reviewed the document and has included some strategies to help address the need to provide a
quality eco- tourism destination. The areas of conflict between the Master Plan and Refuge
System policies were addressed in the Service’s comments to the Master Plan and are attached
to this document as Appendix IV.
REFUGE PURPOSES AND LAND ACQUISITION AUTHORITY
National Wildlife Refuge System lands are acquired under a variety of legislative acts and
administrative orders. According to the Refuge System Improvement Act, the terms “purposes of the
refuge” and “purposes of each refuge” mean the purposes specified in or derived from the law,
proclamation, executive order, agreement, public land order, donation document, or administrative
memorandum establishing, authorizing, or expanding a refuge, refuge unit, or refuge subunit. The
Service defines the purposes of national wildlife refuges when a refuge is established or when new
land is added to an existing refuge. The Service documents the mechanisms used to acquire lands
or to receive transferred lands. In the case of Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, the purposes were
defined in the legislation that required the transfer of the lands from the Navy to the administrative
jurisdiction of the Fish and Wildlife Service.
The purposes shown here are based upon land acquisition documents and authorities. The unit
purposes may also include purposes included as deed restrictions, management agreements with
primary land managers, and congressional-established wilderness designations, which were not part
of the acquisition documents and authorities.
The legislation that established both the eastern (Public Law 107-107) and western (Public Law 106-
398) portions of the refuge stated that the Secretary of the Interior shall administer the lands as
wildlife refuges under the National Wildlife Refuge Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et
seq.). With respect to the “live impact area” on eastern Vieques, Public Law 107-107 further stated
that the Secretary of the Interior shall administer that area as a wilderness area under the Wilderness
Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), and deny public access to the area.
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 9
REFUGE OPERATIONAL PLANS (STEP-DOWN PLANS)
Refuge operational plans (step-down) address specific aspects of a refuge management program
and provide detailed guidance for the refuge management team to administer the activity. The
following is a list of plans that have been or will be prepared for the Vieques Refuge. Anticipated
completion dates are provided for the plans that are not currently available:
• Occupational Safety and Health Plan - In Draft
• Fire Management Plan - In Draft - 2007-2008
• Public Use Management Plan - 2009
- hunting
- fishing
- visitor services and outreach
- law enforcement
- interpretation and environmental education
- other recreational activities
• Wilderness and Special Areas Management Plan (to be completed with the Public Use
Management Plan) - 2009
• Habitat Management Plan - 2009
- wetland, water, riparian
- forest management
- integrated pest/weed management
- grassland management
• Fish and Wildlife Population Management Plan (to be completed with the Habitat Management
Plan) - 2009
- inventory and monitoring
- invasive/exotic plant control
- feral animal control
Additional project-specific plans, with appropriate National Environmental Policy Act compliance, may
be prepared for activities or programs that are not included in these step-down plans.
REFUGE VISION STATEMENT
The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge is on a scenic tropical island with a unique collection of fish,
wildlife, plants, and habitats, as well as other valuable natural and cultural resources. The following
vision statement for the refuge contemplates active management, protection of the resources, and
compatible uses that will benefit the community and provide enjoyment for all visitors.
“The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge is managed to: 1) restore, protect, and conserve fish
and wildlife resources and habitats, with special emphasis on endangered species, wetlands
and forest communities; 2) ensure that lands are clean, healthy, and safe for the wildlife and
residents and visitors; and 3) provide opportunities for compatible wildlife-dependent
recreational uses. The Service works in partnership with municipal, commonwealth, and
federal agencies, the local community, educational institutions, and interest groups to provide
a unique refuge environment for the enjoyment of the rich and diverse natural and cultural
resources, educational and interpretive programs, scientific research, and to safeguard this
heritage for future generations.”
10 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
REFUGE GOALS
Broad goals are proposed for the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. They are consistent with the
refuge purpose, ecosystem goals, Refuge System goals, Refuge System Improvement Act of
1997, Service policy and guidance, and international treaties. For each goal, the refuge has
developed management principles and guidelines to help focus the development of objectives
and strategies to obtain the goal. These principles and guidelines are presented below, following
the goals to which they apply.
Goal 1: Conserve, enhance, and restore native plant communities and wetland habitats and their
associated fish, wildlife, and plants, representative of the native biological diversity that would
have been found on Vieques Refuge lands prior to major agricultural and military use of the
lands.
􀁹􇤠 Healthy, high-quality habitats are keys to healthy fish and wildlife populations.
􀁹􇤠 Restoration of native conditions is a desired direction for management but may not always be
achieved in the short term because soils or other environmental factors may be altered so
they no longer support native species.
􀁹􇤠 Both active and passive management approaches will be used to restore and maintain native
conditions.
􀁹􇤠 Forest habitat management goals and objectives will take longer than the life of this plan (15
years) to achieve.
􀁹􇤠 Native assemblages of wildlife are best maintained and restored by aiming to provide native
habitat diversity typical of the ecoregion prior to agricultural clearing, development, and
military uses.
Goal 2: Monitor, protect, and recover special status animals, plants, and species of management
interest.
􀁹􇤠 Wildlife monitoring and inventories will be conducted to develop baseline information and
detect changes in the populations.
􀁹􇤠 Wildlife populations will be managed primarily through habitat management.
􀁹􇤠 The needs of wildlife have priority over public uses of the refuge.
Goal 3: Provide opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation and education to enhance public
appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of refuge wildlife, habitats, and cultural history.
􀁹􇤠 Wildlife-dependent recreational activities, as identified in the Refuge System Improvement Act
of 1997, will be given priority consideration over other uses. These activities are hunting,
fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and
interpretation.
􀁹􇤠 Existing public uses may continue if they are determined to be compatible with the wildlife
objectives for the refuge or if they offer increased wildlife-dependent recreational
opportunities.
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 11
Goal 4: Through cooperative efforts with partners, ensure the refuge is cleaned of all classes of
contaminants that could pose a threat to the health and safety of the wildlife, residents, staff, and visitors.
􀁹􇤠 Effective natural resource management, wildlife-dependent recreational uses, and other
potential uses of the refuge cannot be realized without a comprehensive clean-up of
unexploded ordnance and other contaminants that remain from prior uses of the lands.
􀁹􇤠 Current efforts under the provisions of CERCLA are being carried out to address the
contaminant issues on the areas currently being managed as the Vieques Refuge.
􀁹􇤠 Prior to initiation of management or opening of contaminated portions of the refuge to public
uses, the lands must be certified as safe for the proposed use.
􀁹􇤠 Clean-up activities will likely continue beyond the time frame of this comprehensive
conservation plan.
Goal 5: Provide the resources needed to implement the selected management alternative and
ensure the other goals and objectives identified in the plan can be achieved.
􀁹􇤠 Effective management of wildlife, habitat, public uses and conducting other resource
management activities require personnel, equipment, and facilities.
􀁹􇤠 The levels of staffing and facilities necessary for each alternative are dependent on the
proposed activities and programs.
Goal 6: Develop effective and open means of communication with Vieques citizens, interested
groups, and organizations to raise public awareness of refuge programs, management decisions, and
the mission of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wildlife Refuge System.
􀁹􇤠 Effective management of the refuge resources and compatible public uses require that the
community is aware of the resources, their relationship to the community, and the
management goals of the refuge.
􀁹􇤠 Support for, input to, and assistance with the development of refuge programs can only be
gained if the community is fully informed of the refuge’s management goals, plans, and
proposals.
THE COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLANNING PROCESS
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act requires that a comprehensive conservation plan
be in place for each refuge by the year 2012, and that the public have an opportunity for active
involvement in plan development and revision. It is Service policy that plans are developed in an open
public process and that the agency is committed to securing public input throughout the process.
The process followed for development of this CCP/EIS is guided by the Fish and Wildlife Manual
(Part 602 FW2.1, November 1996) and policy related to the Refuge System Improvement Act. Steps
in document development include: 1) preplanning; 2) identifying issues and developing vision; 3)
gathering information; 4) analyzing resource relationships; 5) developing alternatives and assessing
environmental effects; 6) identifying a proposed alternative; and 7) publishing the draft plan. After
publication of the Draft CCP/EIS, the next steps in the process are to document and address public
comments on the Draft CCP/EIS, prepare the Final CCP/EIS, secure its approval, and then
implement the plan.
12 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
The goals of the planning process are:
􀁹􇤠 To ensure that wildlife comes first in the National Wildlife Refuge System and that each refuge
is managed to help fulfill the mission of the Refuge System, maintain the ecological integrity of
each refuge and the Refuge System, and achieve the specific purposes for which the refuge
was established.
􀁹􇤠 To provide a clear and comprehensive statement of desired conditions for each refuge or
planning unit.
􀁹􇤠 To encourage use of an ecosystem approach in refuge planning. This includes conducting
concurrent planning for refuges within the same watershed or ecosystem and considering the
broader goals and objectives of the refuges’ ecosystems and watersheds when developing
management direction (see Ecosystem Approach to Fish and Wildlife Conservation [Part 052
of the Fish and Wildlife Service Manual]).
􀁹􇤠 To support management decisions and their rationale by using a thorough assessment of
available science derived from scientific literature, on-site refuge data, expert opinion, and
sound professional judgment.
􀁹􇤠 To ensure that the six priority wildlife-dependent recreational uses receive priority
consideration.
􀁹􇤠 To provide a forum for the public to comment on the type, extent, and compatibility of uses on
refuges, including priority wildlife-dependent recreational uses.
􀁹􇤠 To provide a uniform basis for budget requests for operational, maintenance, and capital
improvement programs.
􀁹􇤠 To ensure public involvement in refuge management decisions by providing a process for
effective coordination, interaction, and cooperation with affected parties, including federal
agencies, state conservation agencies, tribal governments, local governments, conservation
organizations, adjacent landowners, and interested members of the public.
The planning process for the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge is following the procedures of the
Service and attempts to achieve these goals to the greatest extent possible. The process began in
September 2003, with the publication of a notice of intent in the Federal Register (68 FR 52418) to
prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for Vieques
National Wildlife Refuge. Subsequently, a core planning team was assembled to begin the process
of identifying needs and direction for the development of the comprehensive plan.
In order to include the issues and concerns of the community during the development of the plan for
Vieques Refuge, a public involvement strategy was initiated. The major intent of the public involvement
efforts was to provide an opportunity for a broad spectrum of the community and refuge visitors to
understand the refuge purposes and provide input during plan development. To accomplish this, the
planning team organized an Open House to introduce the community and visitors to the refuge and to
announce upcoming planning activities. The Open House was held on July 10, 2004. This introduction
to the refuge and the planning process was followed by more formal scoping meetings designed to
provide an opportunity for interested parties to identify issues they would like to see addressed in the
Draft CCP/EIS. The scoping meetings were held on August 19, 2004, and on November 10, 2004.
Additional meetings were held with a variety of organizations on Vieques to explain the rationale for the
development of the Draft CCP/EIS and to solicit comments on the issues and concerns from the
organizations or their members individually. Throughout the scoping process, the community and other
interested parties were provided with an opportunity to document their concerns and identify their
preferred uses of the refuge. To facilitate this effort, comment sheets were provided during the
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 13
open house, scoping meetings, at informational gatherings, and through web sites. After receipt of
input from the interested public, the core planning team began formulating specific goals, objectives,
and strategies to address each of the envisioned alternatives for the refuge.
Upon release of the Draft CCP/EIS, public meetings, as well as press releases and electronic media,
were used to provide opportunities for comment. At the conclusion of a 60-day period of public
review, all substantive comments were addressed and are included in this document; 30 days after
distribution of this Final CCP/EIS a Record of Decision will be recorded in the Federal Register and
the plan will be finalized. Implementation of the preferred alternative can then begin.
ISSUES, CONCERNS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
Key issues and concerns to be addressed during the planning process were initially identified by the
core planning team. Subsequently, during the public scoping process, these issues were modified
based on the comments and input from the public and cooperating agencies (Table 1). The refuge
goals, along with the issues and concerns identified by the planning team, the public, and
cooperators, form the basis for the development and comparison of alternatives presented in this
document. The issues are arranged in accordance with the refuge goals and are not necessarily in
priority order.
The generally recognized precept for management of national wildlife refuges is that protection and
management of wildlife and habitat are the primary functions. Within this concept, there are several
issues of importance to the Vieques Refuge as a component of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
The natural systems that evolved in Vieques have been altered dramatically over the years.
Management to achieve some level of restoration of the natural habitats and species composition will
necessitate active manipulation of some environmental components. The types of habitat
manipulation and management that can be conducted are affected by several factors, including
unexploded ordnance, contaminated areas, invasive species, and the presence of historical and
archaeological sites.
While addressing some of the issues identified may require significant alteration of the existing
conditions, others may only require monitoring, some form of documentation, or minor management
activities. A major goal of identifying the issues and alternatives to be considered during the
development of this plan is to ensure that the management program for the refuge is balanced and
effectively addresses the needs of both the resources and the human users.
Table 1. Issues identified during scoping
Removal of Contaminants (Clean-up)
Habitat Management
Restoration of forest habitats
Restoration of lagoon hydrology
Grassland management
Beach erosion
Biological monitoring
Invasive/exotic plant control
Feral animal control
Fire management
Cooperative research opportunities
14 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Removal of Contaminants (Clean-up)
Species Management
Endangered species management
Sea turtles
Listed plants
Wading birds
Waterfowl
Sea birds
Other migratory birds
Amphibians and reptiles
Mammals
Invertebrates
Public Uses
Land crabbing
Access (Hours the refuge is open)
Hunting
Use of off road vehicles
Hiking trails
Biking trails
Horseback riding
Grazing
Camping
Night fishing
Commercial activities
Kayaking
Law enforcement activities
ISSUES OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THIS CCP/EIS
During the scoping phase for the Draft CCP/EIS development, one of the issues identified by
members of the local community was the desire for the transfer of the refuge lands or portions
of the refuge lands to the people or municipality of Vieques. The legislation that mandated the
establishment of the refuge specifically stated that any transfer would require that additional
legislation be enacted by Congress. Without specific congressional approval, consideration of
land transfers is beyond the authority of the agency; and therefore is not considered in this
planning document.
Another issue outside of the scope of this document that was identified during the planning
process was the proposed zoning classifications to permit residential or tourism-related
development on the refuge.
Additional issues are discussed in Chapter III entitled, “Actions or Proposals Considered but not Fully
Developed.”
PLAN AMENDMENT AND REVISION
The Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Vieques National Wildlife Refuge will cover a period of 15
years. After this time, it will be reviewed periodically, at least every 5 years, to determine if there is a
need for revision. In keeping with the Service’s approach to adaptive management, amendments or
revisions will be initiated if and when significant information indicating a need for a change in
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 15
management direction or policy becomes available. The final plan will be augmented by detailed
step-down management plans addressing specific strategies that support refuge goals and
objectives. To ensure the availability of information that identifies effectiveness or impacts associated
with the strategies identified in this plan, specific procedures for inventory and monitoring will be
identified in the step-down plans. Revisions of the plan and/or the step-down management plans that
result in alterations of the impacts identified in this document and that may significantly affect the
quality of the human environment would be subject to further National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) compliance.
LEGAL AND POLICY GUIDANCE
Starting with the first refuge, Florida’s Pelican Island, established in 1903 by President Theodore
Roosevelt, the National Wildlife Refuge System has grown to more than 92 million acres in size. It
includes more than 540 refuges, at least one in every state, and over 3,000 waterfowl production
areas. The needs of wildlife and their habitats come first on refuges, in contrast to other public lands
managed for multiple uses. This principle is found throughout the guidance provided for
administration of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The provisions of the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act include the mission statement for the Refuge System, the designation of
priority public uses, and a requirement that the environmental health of the Refuge System be
maintained (Appendix III).
In addition to the above guidance provided for all units of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the
legislation that established the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge also provided specific direction for
the management of the refuge. Public Law 106-398 directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer
the western Vieques lands “as wildlife refuges under the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.). It also established the requirement that the
Secretary of the Interior manage the conservation zones transferred from the Navy in accordance
with a cooperative agreement to be developed among the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Puerto
Rico Conservation Trust, and the Secretary of the Interior. That agreement (Appendix III) was
finalized on April 26, 2001. In accordance with the agreement, the “Management Plan for the
Western Vieques Conservation Areas” was prepared and published in November 2002. The
management plan provided several objectives for conservation, research, restoration, education and
interpretation, outreach and public involvement, and recreation. These objectives and associated
proposals were incorporated into the planning for this CCP/EIS.
In addition to the guidance provided in Public Law 106-398, further direction for the management of the
refuge was provided when it was amended by Public Law 107-107. The amendments specifically
stated that “the Secretary of the Interior shall retain, and may not dispose of any of the properties
transferred under paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (b) and shall administer such properties as
wildlife refuges under the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd
et seq.) pending the enactment of a law that addresses the disposition of such properties.” It further
stated that “the Secretary of the Interior shall assume responsibility for the administration of the Live
Impact Area upon transfer under paragraph (1) of subsection (b), administer that area as a wilderness
area under the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), and deny public access to the area.”
The portions of Public Law 106-398 and the amendments (Public Law 107-107) related to the refuge
lands on Vieques are included in Section B, Appendix III.
Since significant portions of the refuge lands have been included as part of the Vieques “Superfund
site” identified under CERCLA, the Fish and Wildlife Service, as the land management agency
responsible for future management activities, will work as an integral part of the team developing the
16 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
clean-up plans and priorities. Under CERCLA, the team includes representatives from the Navy,
Environmental Protection Agency, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Fish and Wildlife Service.
The role of each of the parties will be identified in a “Federal Facilities Agreement” that is currently
being developed.
Additional guidance is available in documents developed by the commonwealth and municipal agencies.
These include documents such as the Vieques Culebra Master Plan for Sustainable Development, the
Puerto Rico Planning Board proposed zoning classification, and Puerto Rico’s Comprehensive Wildlife
Conservation Strategy (currently in draft). Where the long-term plans and management strategies
identified in these documents are appropriate and compatible with the refuge purposes, they may be
incorporated into this plan or the management programs of the refuge. The primary focus of the refuge,
however, is to help fulfill the agency mission and the legislated purposes of the refuge.
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 17
II. Description of the Affected Environment
INTRODUCTION
This chapter provides a description of the environment, the natural and cultural resources, and the
general setting of the refuge. The intent is to give the reviewers of this document and those who
make decisions about the management alternatives the necessary background to understand the
impacts that may occur as a result of their decisions.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
CLIMATE
The climate in Vieques is classified as “tropical-marine.” The easterly trade winds are the dominant
factor affecting the climate of Puerto Rico and the rest the Antilles islands. The temperature in
Vieques remains relatively constant throughout the year, with an annual average temperature of 78
degrees Fahrenheit (°F). The average high temperatures in the summer months are about 89°F.
During the winter, the average high is approximately 84°F. The average low temperatures vary even
less with only about a 3-4°F difference between summer and winter.
Due to the topography of the island and the easterly trade winds, there is generally a higher
precipitation on the north side of the hills on the western end of the island than there is on the eastern
and southern portions of the island. The eastern end of the island receives an average of 25.2 inches
per year and the western end receives an average of 49.2 inches per year (Figure 3). Although the
annual average rainfall in Esperanza is approximately 38 inches, the average for the entire island is
approximately 43 inches. Of this amount, the island receives about half during the rainy season
(August to November), with September being the rainiest month. Approximately 15 percent of the
total annual precipitation falls during September. March is the driest month, with an average
precipitation of less than 2 inches.
The normal dry season extends from December through July. During May, June, and July, localized
thunderstorms are relatively common and tropical storms move through the Caribbean from June to
November (hurricane season). Tropical storms can affect the regional climate for several days.
Hurricanes occur at Vieques Island at a frequency of one every one to two years (National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration 2000), usually occurring during August and September.
In September 2003, Vieques received 25.75 inches of rain in only 36 hours. That is considered to be
a 100-year rain frequency event. By the other hand, in March 2005, Puerto Rico (including Vieques)
experienced an extraordinary drought that became a major fire hazard anywhere subtropical dry
forest dominated. Vieques reported 62 wild fires, which required immediate suppression response.
Several fires occurred on refuge lands.
TOPOGRAPHY
A series of rolling hills and peaks, and narrow, low-lying coastal zones characterize the topography of
Vieques. Generally, the hills on the western portion of the island are more gentle and rolling than the
rest of the island and possess a deeper soil profile (Figure 4). The hills on the eastern end of the
island are more angular and rugged in appearance and have more exposed rock surfaces (Figure 5).
The central hills are generally steeper on the northern faces versus the more gradual southern
18 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Figure 3. Vieques average monthly rainfall
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 19
Monte Pirata
Cerro El Buey
0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles
0 0.25 0.5 1 Kilometers
μ
Playa
Punta Arenas
(Green Beach)
301 m
987 ft
Punta Vaca
ROTHR
Site
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Municipality of Vieques
PR Conservation Trust
ROTHR
Lagoons
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge Boundary
Intermitent Streams
10 meter contour
Punta Arenas
Punta Boca
Quebrada
Playa
Grande
Laguna
Boca Quebrada
Laguna
Playa Grande
Laguna
Kiani
Laguna
Punta Arenas
Laguna
El Pobre
Figure 4. Vieques topographic map (west)
20 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Figure 5. Vieques topographic map (east)
Cerro Bone
Peñasco Fosil
Cerro Palomas
Cerro Caracas
Cerro Camacho
Cerro Farallon
Cerro Playuela
Cerro Amargura
Cerro Malojillo
Cerro del Muerto
Cerro Matias Jalobre
μ 0 0.5 1 2 Miles
0 0.5 1 2 Kilometers
Puerto
Ferro
Playa Caracas
(Red Beach)
Playa La Chiva
(Blue Beach)
Isla Chiva
Berdiales
Bahía
Tapón
Camp Garcia
Punta
Conejo
Cayo
Yanuel
Ensenada Honda
Bah��a Fanduca
Bahía Jolova
Playa Matías
(Yellow Beach)
Cayo
Conejo
Roca
Alcatraz
Bahia Salina
del Sur
Tamarindo
Sur
Punta
Este
Playa
Blanca
Punta
Salinas
Playa
Brava
Bahia
Icacos
Isla
Yallis
Puerto
Diablo
Punta
Brigadier Punta
Goleta Puerto
Negro
Punta
Campanilla
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Municipality of Vieques
PR Conservation Trust
Lagoons
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge Boundary
Intermitent Stream
10 meter contour
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 21
slopes. Several low-lying coastal zones are located on the island. The largest zones are located
near the northwestern corner of the island, near the eastern end of the island (north of Bahía Salina
del Sur), and in the southern valley between Esperanza and Bahía Tapón (U.S. Geological Survey
1982). The highest elevations are found on the western portion of the island, declining along an axis
that runs through the center of the island to the east. The highest peak on the island is Monte Pirata,
which lies near the western end of the island at an elevation of 984 feet above mean sea level.
GEOLOGY
The general geological profile for Vieques is described as granitic volcanic rock and marine
sedimentary rocks overlain by alluvial deposits. The prominent volcanic rock is Late Cretaceous-aged
andesite, which was deposited in a marine environment (Glover 1971). Later in the
Cretaceous, a plutonic complex intruded the andesite. From west to east, the texture of the pluton
gradually changes from coarse to fine-grained quartz-diorite (Figure 6). Patches of limestone are
found in Vieques, mostly in the northern, southern, and eastern coastal areas (U.S. Geological
Survey 1980). The limestone is yellow and well weathered at the surface (Figure 7).
Quaternary-aged valley and alluvial deposits are found in the Esperanza and Resolucion valleys.
These deposits consist of mixtures of sand, silt, and clay. According to well logs and geophysical
data, the thickness of the sedimentary deposits ranges from 0 to 98 feet. A basal clay unit (with a
maximum thickness of 16 feet) exists above the granitic quartz-diorite. A deposit of interbedded sand
and silt overlies the clay, with a maximum thickness of approximately 66 feet. The uppermost unit
consists largely of sand and silt colluvium, with the sand predominating towards the coastal areas
(Glover 1971). Unconsolidated beach and dune deposits are found in the coastal areas in the
northwestern part of the island and to the south in Esperanza Valley along the Quebrada La Mina
(Miller et al. 1999). These sand-sized deposits consist mainly of calcite, quartz, volcanic rock
fragments, and minor deposits of magnetite. Erosion is prevalent along the major stream channels
that empty into coastal areas, due to the presence of the easily erodible deposits, human disturbance
and destabilization of the soils, and periodic storm events.
SOILS
Soils on the refuge are described in the Soil Survey of Humacao Area of Eastern Puerto Rico
(Boccheciamp 1977). Contained within the eastern and western refuge lands are portions of four
different soil associations (Figures 8 and 9). These consist of the Descalabrado-Guayama
association, Coamo-Guamani-Vives association, and Swamps-Marshes association, and the
Pandura-Rock land-Patillas association. These four soil associations are described by Boccheciamp
(1977) as follows:
􀁹􇤠 The Descalabrado-Guayama association consists of soils that formed in moderately fine-textured
to fine residual material derived from basic volcanic rocks. These soils are shallow,
well-drained, and strongly sloping to very steep. The soils of this association are used for
pasture or are in brush. They have severe limitations for farming, recreation, and urban uses
because they are shallow to bedrock, lack sufficient moisture, are steep, and are susceptible
to erosion.
􀁹􇤠 The Coamo-Guamani-Vives association consists of soils that formed in sediment derived from
limestone and volcanic rocks. The Coamo soils are deep, well-drained, and nearly level to
strongly sloping, and they occur on terraces. The Guamani soils are shallow to sand and
gravel, well-drained, and nearly level, and they occur on floodplains. The Vives soils are
deep, well-drained, and nearly level to strongly sloping, and they are found on floodplains,
alluvial fans, and terraces.
22 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Figure 6. Vieques geological features (west)
Monte Pirata
Cerro El Buey
0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles
0 0.25 0.5 1 Kilometers
 
Playa
Punta Arenas
(Green Beach)
301 m
987 ft
Punta Vaca
ROTHR
Site
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Municipality of Vieques
PR Conservation Trust
ROTHR
Lagoons
Geology
Ktd- Plutonic Rocks
Kv- Sandstone, Siltstone, Conglomerate Lava, Tuff, Tuffaceous Breccia
Qa- Alluvial Deposits
Qb- Beach and Dune Deposits
Qs- Swamp and Marsh Deposits
Tl- Marine Sedimentary Rocks
Not Surveyed
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge Boundary
Fault Line
Intermitent Stream
Punta Arenas
Punta Boca
Quebrada
Playa
Grande
Laguna
Kiani
Laguna
Punta Arenas
Laguna
El Pobre
Laguna
Boca Quebrada
Laguna
Playa Grande
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 23
Figure 7. Vieques geological features (east)
Cerro Bone
Peæasco Fosil
Cerro Palomas
Cerro Caracas
Cerro Camacho
Cerro Farallon
Cerro Playuela
Cerro Amargura
Cerro Malojillo
Cerro del Muerto
Cerro Matias Jalobre
 
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Municipality of Vieques
PR Conservation Trust
Lagoons
Geology
Ktd- Plutonic Rocks
Kv- Sandstone, Siltstone, Conglomerate Lava, Tuff, Tuffaceous Breccia
Qa- Alluvial Deposits
Qb- Beach and Dune Deposits
Qs- Swamp and Marsh Deposits
Tl- Marine Sedimentary Rocks
Not Surveyed
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge Boundary
Fault Line
Intermitent Stream
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
0 0.5 1 2 Kilometers
Puerto
Ferro
Playa Caracas
(Red Beach)
Playa La Chiva
(Blue Beach)
Isla Chiva
Berdiales
Bah a
Tap n
Camp Garcia
Punta
Conejo
Cayo
Yanuel
Ensenada Honda
Bah a Fanduca
Bah a Jolova
Playa Mat as
(Yellow Beach)
Cayo
Conejo
Roca
Alcatraz
Bahia Salina
del Sur
Tamarindo
Sur
Punta
Este
Playa
Blanca
Punta
Salinas
Playa
Brava
Bahia
Icacos
Isla
Yallis
Puerto
Diablo
Punta
Brigadier Punta
Goleta Puerto
Negro
Punta
Campanilla
24 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Figure 8. Vieques soils (west)
0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles
0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles
 
Monte Pirata
Cerro El Buey
0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles
0 0.25 0.5 1 Kilometers
 
Playa
Punta Arenas
(Green Beach)
301 m
987 ft
Punta Vaca
ROTHR
Site
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Municipality of Vieques
PR Conservation Trust
Lagoons
ROTHR
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge Boundary
Intermitent Stream
Soil Series
Amelia gravelly clay loam
Cartagena clay
Catalina clay
Catano loamy sand
Coamo clay loam
Coastal beach
Descalabrado and Guayama soil
Descalabrado clay loam
Descalabrado-Rock land complex
Fraternidad clay
Jacana clay
Made land
Pandura-Very stony land complex
Paso seco clay
Poncena clay
Pozo Blanco clay loam
Rock land
Salt water marsh
Soil not surveyed
Tidal flats
Tidal swamp
Vieques loam
Not Surveyed
Punta Arenas
Punta Boca
Quebrada
Playa
Grande
Laguna
Kiani
Laguna
Punta Arenas
Laguna
El Pobre
Laguna
Boca Quebrada
Laguna
Playa Grande
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 25
Figure 9. Vieques soils (east)
 
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Municipality of Vieques
PR Conservation Trust
Lagoons
Intermitent Stream
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge Boundary
Soil Series
Amelia gravelly clay loam
Cartagena clay
Catalina clay
Catano loamy sand
Coamo clay loam
Coastal beach
Descalabrado and Guayama soil
Descalabrado clay loam
Descalabrado-Rock land complex
Fraternidad clay
Jacana clay
Made land
Pandura-Very stony land complex
Paso seco clay
Poncena clay
Pozo Blanco clay loam
Rock land
Salt water marsh
Soil not surveyed
Tidal flats
Tidal swamp
Vieques loam
Not Surveyed
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
0 0.5 1 2 Kilometers
Puerto
Ferro
Playa Caracas
(Red Beach)
Playa La Chiva
(Blue Beach)
Isla Chiva
Berdiales
Bah a
Tap n
Camp Garcia
Punta
Conejo
Cayo
Yanuel
Ensenada Honda
Bah a Fanduca
Bah a Jolova
Playa Mat as
(Yellow Beach)
Cayo
Conejo
Roca
Alcatraz
Bahia Salina
del Sur
Tamarindo
Sur
Punta
Este
Playa
Blanca
Punta
Salinas
Playa
Brava
Bahia
Icacos
Isla
Yallis
Puerto
Diablo
Punta
Brigadier Punta
Goleta Puerto
Negro
Punta
Campanilla
26 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
􀁹􇤠 The Swamps-Marshes association is in level or nearly level, narrow strips adjacent to the
ocean. The areas are slightly above sea level but are wet and, when the tide is high, are
covered or affected by salt water or brackish water. The high concentration of salt inhibits the
growth of all vegetation except mangrove trees and, in small, scattered patches, other salt-tolerant
plants. The soils are sandy or clayey and contain organic material from decaying
mangrove trees. They are underlain by coral, shells, and marl at varying depths. This
association is not extensive and has no value for farming, but it serves as a feeding and
breeding place for birds and crabs.
􀁹􇤠 The Pandura-Rock land-Patillas association consists of shallow to deep, well-drained, steep
and very steep soils on plutonic uplands. This association consists of brown colored soils
formed in residual material weathered from plutonic rocks. Pandura soils are moderately
deep and well-drained and are underlain by granitic rocks. Rock land consists of 50 to 70
percent cover by granitic boulders. Patillas soils are moderately deep to saprolite, are well-drained
and are underlain by partly weathered granitic rocks. Soils of this association are
used mainly for food crops and native grasses. Steep slopes and shallow depth of bedrock
are limitations for farming, recreation, and urban uses.
Within these associations, there are twenty soil series that have been identified on the Vieques
National Wildlife Refuge. The descriptions of the soil series found on the refuge are provided in
Appendix V.
HYDROLOGY
The hydrology of small tropical islands differs from that of temperate, continental areas. In the West
Indies, precipitation, the origin of all freshwater resources, is controlled principally by the easterly
trade winds, the passage of tropical storms, and orographic effects in the islands with high relief. The
geology, topography, and relative size of the islands determine the degree to which they collect and
retain the rainfall that ultimately provides island water supplies (U.S.Geological Survey, Zack, Allen
and M. C. Larsen 1994).
Long-term climate change in the Caribbean may be causing gradual, but significant, hydrologic
depletions that began several centuries ago, with islands of low elevation exhibiting the most obvious
depletions. The reduced streamflow and diminished groundwater supplies may be attributed to
decreasing rainfall over the tropical oceans, islands, and coastal areas since the industrial revolution.
Oral history indicates that perennial streams occurred on the island of Vieques several centuries ago.
Fresh groundwater supplies in the Esperanza Valley have gradually diminished during the past 200
years even though groundwater withdrawals have remained relatively constant. The potable water
supply for Vieques is derived from the Río Blanco, on the main island of Puerto Rico. Vieques Island
has very limited freshwater resources due to the climatic and physiographic conditions. There are
numerous small watersheds ranging in size from 2.9 acres to 1,543.6 acres (Figure 10).
There are four major watersheds present on the eastern refuge lands: Quebrada Hueca, Quebrada
Amargura, Quebrada Marunguey, and an unnamed quebrada flowing into Bahía de la Chiva
(Figure 11). Although there are reports of permanent streams on Vieques, the geology, which allows
for increased infiltration and percolation to aquifers, and topography, which allows for rapid runoff, do
not generally support the development of permanent freshwater streams. The National Wetlands
Inventory map identifies and classifies potential wetlands, including streams and other water resource
habitats. All streams on Vieques are classified as being temporarily flooded based on these maps.
Temporarily flooded streams, also considered ephemeral streams, only contain water during and
shortly after rainfall events.
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 27
Figure 10. Vieques watersheds (west)
Monte Pirata
Cerro El Buey
0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles
0 0.25 0.5 1 Kilometers
μ
Playa
Punta Arenas
(Green Beach)
301 m
987 ft
Punta Vaca
ROTHR
Site
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Municipality of Vieques
PR Conservation Trust
ROTHR
Lagoons
Wetlands
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge Boundary
Intermitent Streams
10 meter contour interval
Punta Arenas
Punta Boca
Quebrada
Playa
Grande
Laguna
Kiani
Laguna
Punta Arenas
Laguna
El Pobre
Laguna
Boca Quebrada
Laguna
Playa Grande
28 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Figure 11. Vieques watersheds (east)
μ
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Municipality of Vieques
PR Conservation Trust
Lakes_Lagoons
Wetlands
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge Boundary
Intermitent Streams
10 meter contour interval
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
0 0.5 1 2 Kilometers
Puerto
Ferro
Playa Caracas
(Red Beach)
Playa La Chiva
(Blue Beach)
Isla Chiva
Berdiales
Bahía
Tapón
Punta
Conejo
Cayo
Yanuel
Ensenada Honda
Bahía Fanduca
Bahía Jolova
Playa Matías
(Yellow Beach)
Cayo
Conejo
Roca
Alcatraz
Bahia Salina
del Sur
Tamarindo
Sur
Punta
Este
Playa
Blanca
Punta
Salinas
Playa
Brava
Bahia
Icacos
Isla
Yallis
Puerto
Diablo
Punta
Goleta Puerto
Negro
Camp Garcia
Punta
Brigadier
Punta
Campanilla
Quebrada Maru ng ue y
Quebrada Ama rgura
Quebra da Hueca
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 29
AIR QUALITY
The primary federal statute governing the control of air pollution is the Clean Air Act. This Act
identifies six pollutants as “criteria pollutants.” These are: respirable particulate matter, carbon
monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead, and ozone. Primary and/or secondary National
Ambient Air Quality Standards have been established to protect the public health and welfare and to
account for the effects of air pollution on soil, water, visibility, vegetation, and other materials exposed
to air pollution. The standards are included in Appendix III. The Clean Air Act requires state or local
air quality control agencies to adopt State Implementation Plans. These plans prescribe measures to
eliminate or reduce the severity and number of National Ambient Air Quality Standards’ violations and
to achieve and/or maintain levels of the “criteria pollutants” at, or below, these standards.
A single air quality control region covers Puerto Rico, including Vieques. Based on ambient
monitoring data collected mainly in the San Juan vicinity by the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality
Board, the Environmental Protection Agency classifies the air quality control region as in attainment
or as unclassified/attainment (i.e., no data exist to determine the status for the six National Ambient
Air Quality Standards criteria pollutants). Therefore, air pollutant concentrations are below these
standards for all criteria pollutants (EPA 2000a).
Under the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments (42 USC 7476[c]), federal actions are required to conform
to the applicable State Implementation Plans. The criteria and procedures used to demonstrate
conformity are explained in 40 CFR 51 (Requirements for Preparation, Adoption, and Submittal of
Implementation Plans) and 40 CFR 93 (Determining Conformity of Federal Actions to State or
Federal Implementation Plans).
Currently, regulations for implementing the general conformity rule have been promulgated only for
non-attainment areas. Because Puerto Rico is classified as in attainment of the National Ambient Air
Quality Standards for all pollutants, the general conformity rule is not applicable. Existing air pollutant
emission sources at Vieques Refuge are minor and scattered widely. Air pollutants are emitted
during occasional operation of power equipment, motor vehicles, and boats, and during vehicle use
on unpaved roads throughout the refuge.
CONTAMINANTS/HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
CERCLA, commonly known as “Superfund,” was enacted by Congress on December 11, 1980. This
law provided federal authority to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous
substances that may endanger public health or the environment. CERCLA authorized two types of
response actions: 1) short-term removals, where actions may be taken to address releases or
threatened releases requiring prompt response; and, 2) long-term remedial response actions that
permanently and significantly reduce the dangers associated with releases or threats of releases of
hazardous substances that are serious, but not immediately life threatening. These actions can be
conducted only at sites listed on the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List. In
order to address the contaminants issues associated with the former utilization of Vieques for military
training, the Governor requested that portions of Vieques be placed on the National Priorities List. In
accordance with the request, Vieques was placed on this list on February 11, 2005.
Western Vieques
This area was administered by the Navy from the 1940s and development and utilization of various
portions of the lands occurred over a 60-year period. As a result, there are small dumps and other
undocumented sites in several areas of this former Navy property. While this area was not subject to
30 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
any live fire from artillery or bombing, it did serve to store these items and there are more than 100
ammunition bunkers throughout the area. In addition, an open burn/open disposal site was used to
dispose of excess and unexploded ordnance.
There are three documented contaminated sites on refuge lands. The open burn/open disposal area,
also known as Solid Waste Management Unit 4, is about 100 acres in size and was used to dispose
of ammunition. This area is located on a small hill facing Laguna Boca Quebrada to the north, the
Caribbean Sea to the west, a small intermittent stream to the south, and woodlands to the east. The
site is currently under investigation and several thousand items, mostly 20mm high explosive
projectiles, have been found and disposed of properly. Metal and explosive compound contamination
of the adjacent lagoon sediments and unexploded ordnance are concerns at this site.
Another area, Solid Waste Management Unit 6, a dump area located in a mangrove, was
documented in the years 1979, 1980, and 1986. It is located in a mangrove wetland adjacent to the
Laguna Kiani channel on the Laguna El Pobre side, directly adjacent to the existing dirt road. The
exact content of the dump is not known. Three crab samples taken from the site contained DDT,
lead, and cadmium at or close to levels known to have an effect. This site is also under investigation
by the Navy.
Area of Concern J, another dump site, is the third known site on the western refuge unit, and is
located just outside the existing refuge gate, adjacent to an intermittent stream and mangrove
estuary. Service concerns center on impacts to the stream and estuary sediments by metals and
other compounds. This site is also under investigation.
Eastern Vieques
Eastern Vieques was used by the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Army, and the Puerto Rico National Guard
for maneuvers since the 1950s. Amphibious landings, parachute drops, artillery, tank, and infantry
maneuvers were practiced year-round. In the 1960s, the Navy transferred its naval gunnery and air-to-ground
practices to Vieques and established the Live Impact Area. Naval activities continued at this site
until 2003. Because of its prolonged and intense use, this area has more sites. Close to 100 sites have
been identified, including the Solid Waste Management Units, Photo Identified sites, Areas of Concern,
and Potential Areas of Concern, plus the known small arms ranges, gun positions, and the Surface and
Live Impact Areas. The degree of contamination of soil/sediment or biota by metals and other
contaminants in many of these sites is yet to be determined.
Contaminant concerns in east Vieques include metal and explosive compound levels in soil and
sediments, especially in lagoon sediments, since many of the lagoons in east Vieques are natural
sediment basins. The Service is also concerned with the possible presence of pesticide residue
levels of organochlorine pesticides, as these were used heavily during the 1950s and 1960s for
mosquito control.
The presence of unexploded ordnance is an issue due to the use of this area for numerous types of
military maneuvers. Because of the possible presence of unexploded ordnance, currently about
10,000 acres of the eastern refuge lands are closed to the public. As the clean-up progresses,
additional lands will be opened for management and appropriate public use activities.
See Figure 12 for the opened/closed areas for both the western and eastern portions of the refuge.
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 31
Figure 12. Opened/closed areas
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge Open Areas
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge Closed Areas
ROTHR
Municipality of Vieques
PR Conservation Trust
Vieques NWR Refuge Limits
 0 1 2 4 Kilometers
0 1 2 4 Miles
32 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
AESTHETICS
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge occupies significant portions of eastern and western Vieques Island.
Major portions of these lands were cleared for agricultural purposes and were later used for military
purposes. As a result of the agricultural clearing and subsequent abandonment, these lands are now
predominantly vegetated with subtropical dry forest composed of a mix of native and introduced
species. While there has been limited development on the refuge, there are still remains of structures
from the agricultural and military activities of the past. Most significant is the development at Camp
Garcia, where the military maintained a compound with numerous facilities to support its activities. The
Observation Post near the east end of the island is one of the most noticeable structures remaining.
Visitors to the refuge will find limited facilities, including a boardwalk trail and informational kiosk at
Kiani Lagoon and beach shelters on Caracas Beach and La Chiva Beach. At the present time, major
portions of the refuge are closed to public access because of the potential hazards of unexploded
ordnance from previous military training activities. The open roads that provide public access into the
refuge are not conducive to hiking or nature observation because any passing vehicle will raise a dust
cloud. Hiking or seeking solitude in the off-road areas would be very difficult because of the
abundance of thorny dry forest vegetation.
The beaches that are open to public access are considered by many to be some of the most beautiful
in the world and are aesthetically one of the greatest attractions to the area. In addition to the
beaches, a casual observer will also note a series of lagoon systems with associated salt flats,
wetlands, and surrounding mangrove forests, as well as expanses of sub-tropical dry and moist
forests and hills rising from the shores. The biological resources discussed in the next section also
provide an aesthetic appeal to many visitors.
ROADS, UTILITIES, AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge is divided into the western and eastern tracts that are accessible by
land though four main entrances and three secondary entrances that lead to various roads. There
are approximately 100 kilometers (57 miles) of roads throughout the combined east and west portions
of the refuge. Approximately 70 kilometers (44 miles) of roads are located on the east tract and 30
kilometers (19 miles) are on the west tract. There are numerous buildings and other structures and
utilities that were on the lands when transferred to the administration of the refuge. The following
provides a general description of the infrastructure found on the refuge.
Western Refuge Lands
The western tract of the refuge can be divided into three sections. The first section on the northern
side is referred to as Punta Arenas. Entering the main gate (the refuge is officially closed from dusk
until 6 a.m.) there are approximately 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) of public access roads that lead to the
beaches. On the southern portion of this section there is a 1.6-kilometer (1 mile) side road used to
access the power lines that carry power from the Puerto Rico mainland to Vieques. On the main road
from the gate towards Punta Arenas (Green) Beach, there is one side access road that leads to a
natural boat ramp, a small concrete building that houses the main valve for the water supply to
Vieques (the building and the access to this site are part of an easement agreement between the
Service and the Puerto Rico Water Utilities Company), two steel Bailey bridges, one interpretive
kiosk, a short boardwalk onto Kiani lagoon, and one public use beach gazebo.
All the public use sites have parking available to accommodate vehicles for the visiting public. The
Service has also installed several 55-gallon plastic trash containers in and around the main public
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 33
sites. There are two fenced areas within the Punta Arenas area that are restricted from public use.
The first restricted area for public use is where the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has a large
fenced-in transformer that distributes the electrical power for the main island to Vieques. The area
where the transformer is located, along with the two main access roads, is part of an easement
between the Service and the Power Authority. The second restricted area is Solid Waste
Management Unit 4, which comprises approximately 400 acres starting at the canal of Boca
Quebrada Lagoon, continuing inland in a circular manner, and finishing back at the coast. This area
is closed to the public due to the potential dangers of unexploded ordnance. Also in this area is a
small section of railroad track that dates back to the days of sugarcane farming. In addition to the
potentially historic track, there are three large containers that were used during the same time period
to store molasses before shipping it to the main island of Puerto Rico. Near the beach gazebo there
are remains of a historic pier used during the sugarcane era.
The second or central section is referred to as the Mt. Pirata area. The road that leads to this main
entrance starts on municipal lands and remains open to the public until it encounters a closed gate.
From there the road leads to fenced area on the top of Mt. Pirata. The area contains a helicopter
landing area, three small concrete buildings (electrical power is available to this site), and two large
transmission towers. This area is maintained and used by the Department of Homeland Security as a
communications site in accordance with an agreement between the Service and Home Security. The
approximately 4-kilometer (2.5 miles) road from the boundary of the refuge to the top of Mt. Pirata is
the only completely paved road segment on the refuge.
The third or southern section starts south of the Mt. Pirata area and ends on the shoreline. This
section is commonly referred to as the Playa Grande area. There are more than 10 kilometers (6
miles) of roads across the southern section, however, most of them are severely deteriorated and are
closed to ensure public safety. Currently, there is approximately 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) of road from
the main entrance on Playa Grande to the Playa Grande lagoon that is accessible to the public.
Parking is available for the visiting public's vehicles at this area. There are a few remnants of old
structures on this portion of the refuge, but there is no other infrastructure.
Eastern Refuge Lands
There is one land entrance onto the main road on the eastern tract of the refuge. The eastern tract is
open to the public from 6 a.m. to dusk. Crossing this entrance there is also a road that runs north to
south, which serves as a fire break between the refuge lands and the community areas in town. This
road runs along approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) of fence that establishes the boundary of the
refuge. Of the approximately 70 kilometers (40 miles) of road located on this tract, only 17 kilometers
(10 miles) are open and accessible to the general public. The remainders of the roads on the east
tract of the refuge are currently located inside various areas that are restricted to the general public
due to the dangers of unexploded ordinance.
Inside the refuge, and next to main entrance, there is a small gazebo, a Fish and Wildlife Service
welcome sign and a smaller sign that mentions permitted activities. Water mains, electrical utility
poles, and telephone lines also enter the refuge from this point and parallel the main road for
approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles), where they enter a fenced area formerly known as "Camp
Garcia." Inside this area, there are currently fourteen buildings, most of which are unoccupied. The
two largest are utility sheds that are used by the Service to house heavy equipment and other
machinery. One of these buildings is an original stone structure that has historical value that dates
from the time when these lands were used as sugarcane plantations. Outside and east of this fenced
area there is one unoccupied concrete building. To the south of this area there are two public
restrooms, one gazebo, an underground septic tank, and a 1-mile-long inactive aircraft runway.
34 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Additional infrastructure in the areas open to the public include nine public use beach gazebos and
three open grills on Caracas beach (Red beach), one aluminum Bailey Bridge over La Chiva lagoon,
plus ten more beach gazebos on La Chiva beach (Blue beach) area. The Service has installed
several 55-gallon trash drums throughout the open public areas, particularly on the sites leading to or
on the edge of the beaches. There are also three natural and historic sites used as boat ramps on
the public areas of the refuge. From west to east, the first public area is located on a small peninsula
on Barracuda bay, the second is on the east side of La Chiva beach and the third is at the eastern
most portion of la Plata beach within the bay of Ensenada Honda. The first two areas have additional
parking and turnarounds created to accommodate vehicles towing boat trailers. All the beaches that
are currently open and being used for public recreation have parking lot areas. Road accesses
directly onto the beaches are blocked with various barriers (e.g., mostly boulders), since vehicular
and horse traffic are not allowed on the beach.
Four different gates to the north of the main road separate the public areas from the currently
restricted areas. Inside the restricted areas there are seven unoccupied concrete structures; the
largest being Observation Post One. Utilities for these structures are not currently operational.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
FAUNA
Terrestrial and marine animals on Vieques are common all over mainland Puerto Rico whenever
suitable habitat for the species is available. The native terrestrial component is comprised mostly of
birds, reptiles, and amphibians and some bat species. The marine animal component is largely
composed of near shore and pelagic fish species, sea turtles, marine mammals, mollusks, and
crustaceans.
Birds
Over 150 bird species, including migratory and resident, have been reported to occur on Vieques
(Department of the Navy 1986, Sorrie 1978, D. Gemill, personal comm.; and personal observations).
Of those, at least 14 species are marine seabirds that use the near-shore/off-shore marine habitats to
feed. These birds use rocky shores, cliffs, cays, sandy beaches, and lagoons to nest and/or roost.
During the island-wide bird census, conducted in 2005 (by refuge staff and in cooperation with the
Puerto Rican Ornithological Society), four species were reported for the first time on Vieques.
Preliminary surveys seem to indicate that the lagoons and the mostly undisturbed tracts of land
managed by the refuge provide important nesting and foraging habitats for both resident and migratory
species. Vieques is the largest land mass that bridges the gap between the Greater and Lesser
Antilles. Because of its natural areas and geographical location, it appears to be a very important
resting stopover for several bird species as they migrate between North and South America.
In 2001, the Service started a bird banding program on the refuge. This study began as part of an
overall Service program across other national wildlife refuges in the Caribbean complex. In
collaboration with the Smithsonian, the refuge study provided data to search for west Nile virus and
today it continues as an important bi-annual survey to monitor species on the refuge. The birds that
occur in Vieques can be divided into four groups: land birds, wading birds, waterfowl, and sea birds.
Appendix V includes a list of the bird species found on Vieques.
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 35
Land Birds
This is the largest and most diverse group within the refuge, accounting for more than 80 species.
The numbers in this group fluctuate throughout the year due to the spring and fall migrations. These
birds are primarily found in the semi-arid areas that cover most of the eastern tract of the refuge, but
they also occur in the more humid areas on the western tract of the refuge. They inhabit mangroves,
upland forests, lowland forests, gallery forests, barren areas, grasslands, evergreen scrub, beach
scrub, mixed thorn, and low scrub. Representatives of this group include the Ground Dove, Zenaida
Dove, Scaly-napped Pigeon, White-winged Dove, White-crowned Dove, Gray Kingbird, Caribbean
Elaenia, Mangrove Cuckoo, Smooth-billed Ani, Belted Kingfisher, Puerto Rican Woodpecker, Black-faced
Grassquit, Bananaquit, Greater Antillean Grackle, Yellow Warbler, Adelaide's Warbler, Puerto
Rican Vireo, Green-throated Carib, Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Grasshopper Sparrow, Peregrine
Falcon, American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, and others.
Wading Birds
With approximately 30 or more species, wading birds make up the second largest group of bird species
found in the refuge. This category loosely groups marsh birds, shorebirds, egrets, and herons. With the
exception of cattle egrets that accompany feral horses and cattle along all habitats, the majority of wading
birds in the refuge are associated with mangrove-lagoon complexes and shorelines bordering the Vieques
coast. Due to spring and fall migrations, the numbers of wading birds in the refuge also vary throughout
the year. Most of these species are year-round residents in Vieques, whose numbers are usually
augmented by winter migratory birds. According to preliminary surveys conducted by the Service on the
shallow lagoons in the eastern and western tracts, the number of shore birds is greatly increased during
the winter months. When coupled with the fact that several wintering areas across the Antilles have been
degraded, the refuge might be an important resting and foraging area for these migratory species; similar
to the Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge in western Puerto Rico. However, much more
research is needed before drawing any conclusions.
Greater Flamingos were once frequently found on the eastern tract of the refuge in the areas of
Ensenada Honda, Punta Carenero, and Jalova. Flamingos are now only rare visitors to the area;
hence, the Service might enter into cooperative agreements with other entities to reintroduce the
species to its former range. Other representatives of the wading bird group include the Great Egret,
Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, Little Blue Heron, Great Blue Heron, Yellow-crowned Heron, Least
Bittern, Clapper Rail, Sora Rail, Common Moorhen, Caribbean Coot, Semipalmated Plover, Snowy
Plover, Wilson's Plover, Killdeer, Common Snipe, Spotted Sandpiper, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs,
Semipalmated Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Black-necked Stilt, and others.
Waterfowl
Waterfowl refers to swans, geese, and ducks, however, the first two are not present in Vieques, but
ducks do occur as both resident and migratory species. The most frequently seen waterfowl species
in the refuge is the White-cheeked Pintail. Although this duck, as well as other species, is generally
more abundant in the lagoons with deeper waters on the eastern tract of the refuge, such as Monte
Negro lagoon, it also occurs in lesser numbers in lagoons in the western tract, primarily Playa Grande
and Kiani lagoons. The West Indian Whistling Duck and the Ruddy Duck are considered residents,
while the Blue-winged Teal and the Lesser Scaup are winter migratory species.
36 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Sea Birds
The numbers for sea bird populations in Vieques remain relatively constant throughout the year.
This group of birds mostly utilizes the rocky shores, limestone and other rocky cliffs, small islands or
cays, sandy beaches, mangroves, and occasionally lagoons near the coast. Some species reside on
the island while others occasionally fly over the land or the near shore waters. The largest nesting
colony of the endangered brown pelican in Puerto Rico is located on Cayo Conejo (under
Commonwealth jurisdiction) off the southeast coast of the refuge. This group is also represented by
Boobies, Frigatebirds, Gulls, Oyster Catchers, Tropicbirds, and Terns.
Reptiles and Amphibians
The herpetofauna (amphibian and reptiles) on Vieques is composed of at least 22 species
(Department of Defense 2000; refuge staff observations). These species include four species of
marine sea turtles (three nest on Vieques), a native species of fresh water turtle, four frogs, 11 lizards
and geckos, the Worm Snake (Typhlops richardii), and the Ground Snake (Alsophis spp.). Introduced
species include the Cane Toad, Green Iguana, and Ball Python.
Mammals
Four species of bats have been identified on Vieques, plus the presence of three other species needs
to be confirmed (Rodriguez-Duran 2000). Confirmed species are Noctilio leporinus, Artibeus
jamaicensis, Molossus molussus and Stenoderma rufum. The species in question are Tadarida
brasiliensis, Brachyphylla cavernarum, and Eptesicus fuscus.
A number of marine mammals are known to occur in the near shore and the deep waters surrounding
Vieques Island. These include the West Indian manatee, the sperm whale, the blue whale,
humpback whale, the sei whale, and several dolphin species.
Introduced animals include the mongoose, two species of rats, and a mouse. Free-ranging cattle and
horses are common on the eastern and western parts of the refuge, as a result of a poorly managed
grazing concession the Navy gave to a local rancher association. Most of the cattle and horses are
inside restricted areas (areas closed due to the potential presence of unexploded ordnance), but
refuge personnel allow for the removal of these animals whenever it is safe and possible. The
deliberate abandonment of domestic animals (e.g., cats, dogs, chickens, and ducks) on refuge lands
seems to be a more recent illegal activity.
Aquatic organisms
A diverse fish assemblage inhabits the costal waters around Vieques Island. Of the approximately
800 species of fish known to occur in the coastal waters around Puerto Rico and surrounding islands
(Causey et al. 2000), 242 species were recorded during the 1995 survey on Vieques and nearby St.
Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands (Department of Defense 2001).
At least 12 species of crustaceans are known to occur on Vieques: the Spiny Lobster, two shrimp
species (one estuarine, one fresh water), Mole Crab (Emerita portoricensis), Beach Crab (Hippia
cubensis), Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata), Common Land Crab (Cardisoma guanhumi), “juey pelu”
(Ucides cordatus), Fidler Crab (Uca spp.), Aratus pisonnii and Goniopsis cruentata.
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 37
Seven species of marine or estuarine mollusks are known to occur on Vieques. They are the
Octopus (Octopus spp.), Queen Conch (Strombus gigas), Coquina Clam (Donax denticulata), Oyster
(Crassostrea rhizophorae), Sea Snails (Nerita spp.), and the clam or “almeja” (Mercenaria
mercenaria). Recent studies have tentatively identified two to four amphidromous shrimp species
and two to five freshwater fish in the streams. Further studies will be required to confirm the species
and their year-round presence in Vieques.
Invertebrates
Land invertebrates make up the largest group of terrestrial fauna in the Vieques Refuge. At this time,
an inventory and a description of these species has not been fully compiled. Aside from the different
species of water and land crabs, which are listed above as aquatic organisms, there are several
arthropods, gastropods, one or two Onychophora, and some annelids that can be found throughout
various habitats within and around the refuge.
Some of these are arachnids, such as the greater Puerto Rican Tarantula (Cyrtopholis portoricae),
Banana Spiders (Argiope spp.), hexagonal shaped spiders (Gasteracantha spp.), and a few different
species of scorpions probably from the genera Centruroides and Tytius. The diploda are represented
by two known genera of millipedes on the refuge, Rhinocricus and Orthocricus, while the chilopoda
are represented by different species of centipedes perhaps including the genus Scolopendra. The
Class Insecta is well represented by a large variety of butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, ants,
dragonflies, beetles, weevils, grasshoppers, walking sticks, termites, etc. There are at least two
species of annelids (earthworms) along with perhaps two species of Peripatus (velvet worms) that
have been collected in and around the refuge (Segui, University of Puerto Rico, personal
communication 2005), and there are several species of gastropods (snails) in these habitats. This
last group includes the Pseudopineria viequensis, a land snail that was first discovered and described
on the island of Vieques (Ortiz, University of Puerto Rico, personal communication 2005).
FLORA
Information on the flora of Vieques was collected as early as 1694 (Proctor 1994). The first collector
was Jean-Baptiste Labat, a French friar who visited Vieques between 1694 and 1705. Several other
botanical collectors visited the island between this time and Shafer’s (1914) and Wilson’s (1917)
reports on the vegetation of Vieques Island. Some botanists only compiled lists and others actually
documented reports with herbarium collections. Other sources of information include the Flora of
Puerto Rico (Britton and Wilson 1924-1930); Proctor’s (1994) checklist for Vieques; the grasses listed
in Hitchcock (1936); trees in Little and Wadsworth (1964) and Little, Woodbury and Wadsworth
(1974); orchids in Ackerman (1996); and vines and lianas in Acevedo (2003). Woodbury and
Woodbury and Martorell collected extensively during the 1960s and specimens are located in New
York and Puerto Rico. More recently Breckon (2004) compiled, based on literature citations and a
limited herbarium survey plus collections made by Pedro Juan Rivero (2002) and by Breckon, a
working checklist of 830 species for Vieques.
During the 19th century much of the island of Vieques was cleared of its dense forests for the planting
of sugarcane. As early as 1851, it was necessary to import lumber for construction. This makes the
vegetation on Vieques profoundly disturbed by human habitation and the dense forest that once
covered the island has been replaced by secondary woodlands. The woodland areas and remnant
forests found on the slopes of Monte Pirata will never have the same species composition or diversity
of the original forests of Vieques but none the less provide habitat for the island’s fauna.
38 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
A large number of the species are introductions and many are widespread weeds associated with
human activities. Of the 830 plants included in the checklist, 165 or about 20 percent are introduced
or exotic. Relatively few rare plants, however, have been observed to be present. Twenty-seven rare
species of plants have been recorded of which five are federally listed as either threatened or
endangered (Table 2). Three of the latter are known to occur on refuge lands. No plant species have
been reported to be endemic to Vieques, however, several species reported from Vieques are known
to be endemic to Puerto Rico.
VEGETATION COMMUNITIES
The geologic history of Puerto Rico helps explain the variety and distribution of its vegetation. Puerto
Rico sits at the eastern end of a massive oceanic volcanic mountain chain. During past glacial
periods the climate is believed to have been drier and cooler. Sea levels fluctuated drastically
dropping as much as 100 meters during maximum glaciations. The Virgin Islands (except for the
island of St. Croix), Culebra, and Vieques were connected with Puerto Rico as recently as during the
maximum ice advance approximately 11,000 years ago. This land mass formed the Puerto Rican
bank, which encompassed an area twice the present size of Puerto Rico. This complex history has
led to the presence of many different vegetation types. Conserving biological diversity at the level of
natural communities complements the single-species conservation approach because natural
communities contain important assemblages of species and the habitats that support them.
Vieques Island is located 9.65 kilometers southeast of the nearest point on the main island of Puerto
Rico. The island is approximately 22 miles long and 4.55 miles wide at its widest point. It totals
51.35 square miles or approximately 32,864 acres. The deepest water separating the islands
reaches only 18 meters. Vieques does not have any endemic plant species. It has a recorded flora
of 781 species representing 109 families. Of this total, 660 species are believed to be native, while
121 have been introduced from elsewhere. There are nine plant species on Vieques that do not
appear elsewhere on Puerto Rico.
In 1742, it was reported that Vieques was covered with lush vegetation. By 1812, valuable timber
species were being exported from Vieques and used to build houses, boats, and sugar presses. The
following species were listed as exports in 1812: Palo Blanco, Caoba, Tachuelo, Capa, Pimienta,
Guyacan, Malagueta, Mora, Ucar, Tortugo, and Huco. By 1851 it was reported that Vieques had
begun importing timber as local supplies had become exhausted.
The island in general underwent profound disturbance during the sugarcane era when its cultivation
dominated the economy. As the forest was cut, sugarcane, plantain, cotton, and tobacco plantations
slowly covered much of the island. Sugarcane reached its peak in 1922 when there were four
processing mills on the island. Aerial photographs show the majority of the west end of the island
under cultivation except for the highest peaks and ridges. The drier eastern part of the island was
used extensively for grazing livestock. By 1950, most all of the Navy lands were used for grazing
livestock rather than sugarcane. After the demise of sugarcane, unmanaged pastures readily
reverted to dense thorn thickets and secondary growth forest. This vegetation in general is more
characteristic of the dry coastal vegetation zone.
According to the ecological life zone system, six life zones are found in Puerto Rico and the Virgin
Islands. These are: subtropical dry forest, subtropical moist forest, subtropical wet forest, subtropical
rain forest, subtropical lower montane forest, and lower montane rain forest. The subtropical moist
forest is the dominant life zone covering more than 58 percent of the area. According to this life zone
perspective, approximately two-thirds of Vieques is covered with subtropical dry forest and about one-third
is covered with subtropical moist forest. On Vieques these two ecological life zones can be further
Section A. Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/EIS 39
divided into various different vegetation cover types. The flora of Vieques has undergone extensive
disturbance and remains in various stages of succession and is not in equilibrium. The grassland cover
is not an original vegetation type but rather the result of disturbance by which it is maintained. There
are similar communities of plants occurring within the different vegetation types. The plant community
is more or less a cohesive group of species, mutually interacting and characterized by its floristic
composition and structure. To facilitate discussion and for purposes of mapping, seven vegetation
cover types will be identified. This system is intended to conform to the International Classification of
Ecological Communities System and has been selected by the United States Federal Geographic Data
Committee as the standard for describing vegetation communities throughout the Americas. The
International Classification System describes vegetation types in several hierarchical levels including
vegetation structure and composition. These are: beach, coastal strand forest, mangrove, seagrass
beds, dry forest and shrub, mixed evergreen-deciduous forest, and grassland.
Table 2. Vieques rare plant species
VIEQUES RARE PLANT SPECIES
Amphitecna latifolia (Miller) A.Gentry
Baccharis dioica Vahl.
Calyptranthes thomasiana Berg.*
Celtis trinervia Lam.
Chamaecrista glandulosa (L.) Greene var. mirabilis *
Chamaesyce ophthalmica (Pers.) Burch
Cordia rupicola Urb.
Erythrina eggersii Krukoff & Moldenke
Eugenia cordata (Sw.) DC. var. sintenisii (Kiaersk.) Krug & Urb.
Eugenia sessiliflora Vahl
Goetzea elegans Wydler*
Ipomoea eggersii (House) D.F.Austin
Malpighia woodburyana Vivaldi
Morisonia americana L.
Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd.) Berg
Myrciaria myrtifolia Alain
Peperomia myrtifolia (Vahl) A.Dietr.
Pilea sanctae-crucis Liebm.
Prockia crucis L.
Psidium longipes (Berg) McVaugh var. orbiculare (Berg) McVaugh
Psychilis macconnelliae Sauleda
Sabal causiarum (O.F.Cook) Becc
Schoepfia schreberi Gmel.
Sesuvium microphyllum Willd.
40 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
VIEQUES RARE PLANT SPECIES
Stahlia monosperma (Tul.) Urb.*
Tetrapterys inaequalis Cav.
Tolumnia prionochila (Kränzlin) Braem
(*federally listed as either threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act)
Beach
Beach community vegetation occupies the upper open sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, and
adjacent sea salt spray zones encompassing the island. This vegetation extends into some low-lying
areas above the beach and is under the influence of saltwater, salt spray, and sea winds. Most of the
species in this zone are pan-tropical and indigenous or secondarily distributed, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae
and Cocos nucifera. Extending towards the shore one finds the pioneering runners of
Sporobolus virginicus, Paspalum vaginatum and Spartina patens, along with the two very common
vines, Ipomoea pes-caprae and Canavalia maritima. On the less often disturbed upper beach, these
three grasses and two vines occur along with other succulents, including the annual crucifer, Cakile
lanceolata, and the Euphorb, Chamaesyce buxifolia, where they form dense mats. Further
development in this area will exhibit Scaevola plumieri, Suriana maritima, and Borrichia aborescens
and then the eventual invasion by sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera). Along the upper reaches of some
stretches of beach a highly variable wind driven sand dune system may develop.
Although the sandy beaches are usually sterile in the intertidal zone, the rocky shores where the surf
reaches are often covered with the algas Turinaria turbinata and Enteromorpha sp. Where sand has
accumulated within the rocks, Euphorbia buxifolia, Suriana martima, and Borrichia arborescens are
found. Dense mats of Fimbristylis spadicea and Spartina patens are common in the deeper open
sands where dense stands of buttonwood mangrove, Conocarpus erectus, are absent. Above this
disturbed area on pitted limestone slabs, spiny succulent vegetation occurs with: Melocactus intortus,
Opuntia rubescens, Cephalocereus royenii, Lemaireocereus hystrix, and Amaranthus spinosus. This
desert like vegetation gives way to various xerophytic shrubs, especially Coccoloba uvifera.
Coastal Strand Forest
This forest type is restricted to the narrow coastal a