' 570904- 153

Mr. Ben H. Thompson
Page 3. oy January 15, 1958

be by reservation, Parts of St. Thowas and Tortola will provide the most
of the accommedations fer visitors te the Park. Having parts of these two
islands in the Park will permit more visitors to see at least some of the
park area in an unspoiled cendition. If the east end of St. Thomas Island
beaemes part of the National Park, hotel sccommedations and National Park
headquarters should be outside of the Hetional Park boundaries.

Thateh Island is an important stepping stone for animale moving between
St, Thomas and St7 John Island, and ales ie picturesque.

Oreat Thateh Island is used by many animals that live part of the time on
St. John. Seesuse of Lts proximity to St. John Island, Oreat Thatch Island
is desirable as a ssenie beckgreund.

Southwest end of Tortola, if commersialinzed, would destroy the ‘atmosphere!
of rewoteness and primitiveness of St. John Island. This area of Tortola supporte
the last remant of Virgin timber in the Virgin Island and is a source of
plant Life for natural reintroduction on to the other lalands., Also, this
area is visited by many pereons who otherwise would see little or nothing of
any part of the Fark.

Peter Island is included because commercialisation there would ve readily
visible Troma St. Jom and would destroy the naturalnesa of the park area as
seen by visitors. Alse there is useful wildlife habitat on Peter Island.

Norman Island has the best caves for bats. Approximately 00 8b. Vincent
fruit-eating bate ( Brac lla cavernarum) use these caves. ‘These bats rest
and breed in these cavee and it is suspected that in the night the bate fly
te St. John Island to feed on the many kinds of native fruits there. Other
kinds of bate also use these caves, The marine fauna and flera is exceptionally
interesting and colorful in tie waters that form the floor of these caves.
Marine waters osurreunding this and other of the islands are impertant feeding
grounds for marine vertebrates.

Sincerely yours,

Janea &, Bee