Be 570904-165

interview natives and other people living on the island or who have lived
there. b. Gather evidence from subrecent fossil plants and animals, includ-
ing kinds in existence at the time of the arrival of Columbus. c. Compare
the ecological conditions in pre-Columbian period of other islands where
original conditions of fauna and flora have not been too greatly modified
(example, primitive stand of timber on Tortola).

Post-Columbian conditions: Define post-Columbian changes, including:
ae History of agricultural uses of the island by the Danish people.
be History of grazing. ce Tree cutting for lumber or charcoal. de Use
as a recreational area. e. Keep complete record of National Park Service
activities of control of exotics, road and trail building, housing, poach-
ing, and influence of visitors or research. Natives should be interrogated

for historical information.
ADEQUATE BIOLOGICAL AREA

1. Extend the Virgin Islands National Park to include the entire island
of St. John. Local governments, because of their objectives and rightfully
so, of commercializing their area of jurisdiction, cannot administer their
affairs in the interest of maintaining primitive areas. Even if complete
integration of policies of the National Park Service and those of the local
government could be established, there could be no guarantee of continual
support, as political changes might reverse those policies and relationships.
An example of lack of understanding between the local government on St. John
Island and the National Park is the construction (July-August, 1957) along
a trail right-away by the former government of a two-lane highway across
property of the National Park between Coral Bay and East End. This road was

made without survey and, according to the bulldozer operator who had full