Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
There were examples of stamp cancellation from Enderbury. The other Phoenix Islands
never had postal services.
In 1976, the USAF SAMTEC program in Abariringa (Canton) was deactivated (King et al
2001; Planetary Coral Reef Foundation 2004; deactivation began in 1974 according to Stack
1982; deactivated in 1979 according to Garnett 1983b). Most bulky noncombustibles were
piled in an area adjacent to the landfill on Abariringa (Canton) (King et al 2001). Stack
(1982) noted that giant USAF C-5 transport aircrafts were used to transport out important
equipment and staff. Stack (1982) noted that most of the equipment was abandoned as the
costs for continued operation as part of the Space Track network were too high. Once again,
the Govenrment of American Samoa was permited to salvage what they wanted.
A small number of i-Kiribati were based at the facility on Abariringa (Canton) to maintain
remaining facilities and to ensure that American Samoa did not occupy it (Garnett 1983b).
Garnett (1983b) noted that Abariringa (Canton) was also claimed by American Samoa.
In 1977, there was a major collecting trip by the Steinhart Aquarium of San Francisco and the
Waikiki Aquarium to collect small shark specimens (Oates 2003).
In 1978, there was no one living on Abariringa, but it was projected that this island could
support 100 people (Kiribati 1983). A project for development of Abariringa was identified
with a cost of AUD 1 million (Kiribati 1983). However, specific details of this project were
not provided.
In 1979, the Treaty of Friendship signed between the United States and the Government of
Kiribati gave the U.S. Government the right to construct facilities, after consultations with the
Government of Kiribati on Abariringa (Canton), Enderbury, and Orona (Hull) (Trease 1993).
Government of Kiribati agreed to consult with the U.S. Government should it wish to allow
third party access to the islands for military purposes. This was only for Abariringa (Canton)
(Ogashiwa 1991). The Treaty was made after the U.S. decided to withdraw its military
installations on Abariringa (Canton) after 40 years of occupation (Ogashiwa 1991).
BIRNIE
In 1947, no one lived on Birnie (Freeman 1951; Pusinelli 1948; Robson 1956).
A stone beacon 4.9 m (16 ft) high was located on the eastern extremity of the island
(Hydrographic Office 1940; see also Hydrographer of the Navy 1969).
There were no inhabitants on Birnie (Hydrographer of the Navy 1969).
Since 1970, the U.S. Department of Defense had authority on Abariringa (Canton), Birnie,
Enderbury, and Orona (Hull) to conduct missile launch tracking research (Balazs 1975).
According to King (1973), the USAF leased Birnie, Nikumaroro (Gardner), and Manra
(Sydney) from the U.K. Preconstruction environmental surveys were carried out on Manra,
Nikumaroro, McKean, and Birnie (King et al 2001).
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