| The Palmyra Gazette |
| Welcome to: PalmyraGazette.org Created by: Michael E. Murray January 2008 Enjoy your visit! |
Back to Bob and Venus, they will have to wait until the following week. The next
week, the trip cancelled. The following week there was a tug boat going down.
The tug went part way down and had to turn around with steering issues. The
following week a Piper Aztec flew up from Christmas Island and took Bob and
Venus to Christmas to come home on Air Nauru. It was 5 weeks on the island
for the two castaways. Next time Venus will probably make sure she has a
round trip ticket. At the time Venus was on the island there were 18 Gilbertese
Natives, one of which was a woman. There was also a major stock pile of out
of date margarita mixer, without alcohol. The two weeks of beer we brought
down was gone in two nights. It was a fun trip. I will try to post more of the
pictures as I find them. Keep up the good work on the website. -
By the way, interesting picture of Curtis playing the guitar on the picture
postings. I did not see that one on the FAA website.
Fred Sorenson
week, the trip cancelled. The following week there was a tug boat going down.
The tug went part way down and had to turn around with steering issues. The
following week a Piper Aztec flew up from Christmas Island and took Bob and
Venus to Christmas to come home on Air Nauru. It was 5 weeks on the island
for the two castaways. Next time Venus will probably make sure she has a
round trip ticket. At the time Venus was on the island there were 18 Gilbertese
Natives, one of which was a woman. There was also a major stock pile of out
of date margarita mixer, without alcohol. The two weeks of beer we brought
down was gone in two nights. It was a fun trip. I will try to post more of the
pictures as I find them. Keep up the good work on the website. -
By the way, interesting picture of Curtis playing the guitar on the picture
postings. I did not see that one on the FAA website.
Fred Sorenson
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I have a story alright, back in 95 96 we had the
lease on part of the Atoll from the Fullard Leo
brothers, we were working directly with the
Christmas Island Gov. catching and transporting
fish back to Honolulu, they took us at gunpoint and
seized our Vessel South Pacific and were
incarcerated for a month, it is very complex as to
the connection with Palmyra, at the time there
was a company that wanted to dispose nuclear
waste there, but we had a 10 year lease, it was all
a set up. If you would like to hear more on the
story, please write me back, I think it should be a
book or movie, and I do believe Rodger had the
missing bones of Mac Gram in his possession, we
were told to lose them, I will never forget my time
spent on Palmyra.
Tim Collins Maui
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{from the publisher. Mr. Murray}
I took one of the last flights out with Aloha to Maui
on my way back home.... Fascinating story! I've
been in contact with Buck over the last couple of
years. He might be very happy to hear Mac's
bones got lost again .... Sounds like a fascinating
story. I'd be happy to feature a "draft" story on the
Gazette if you like. It's certainly possible to
develop a story line. You must have erected the
freezer unit's on the Atoll? I got bits and pieces of
the stories but of course there are many missing
pieces. I also heard from the owner of the
downed aircraft on the atoll. He sent along an
interesting story. He was there when the lady
discovered Muff's bones. Looking forward to
hearing your tales!
Sincerely Mike
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi and Aloha, Buck Walker was killed in prison,
this is what I heard, and read, maybe we are
speaking of a different Buck, anyhow I will be with
my brother Mark Collins today, which was the
Caption, of the South Pacific during that period he
can tell the story way better than I.. Kris
Kristofferson is our good friend and tried to help
us get released by Tarawa , and he always wanted
to make it into a movie, Brad Pitt playing me of
course. I have got to run, Please write me soon.
Tim Collins
(from Tim) Boy have I been wrong all these years
about old Buck, sorry.. I will give you a call, also
my Brother Mark.
(from Mike) Actually, Buck was paroled from
prison a couple of years ago and living in
California. Most of the new material or stories
came from him. Last heard from him on
Christmas 2008, give or take. Looking forward to
hearing your stories and maybe seeing some new
pictures! Be well Tim.
lease on part of the Atoll from the Fullard Leo
brothers, we were working directly with the
Christmas Island Gov. catching and transporting
fish back to Honolulu, they took us at gunpoint and
seized our Vessel South Pacific and were
incarcerated for a month, it is very complex as to
the connection with Palmyra, at the time there
was a company that wanted to dispose nuclear
waste there, but we had a 10 year lease, it was all
a set up. If you would like to hear more on the
story, please write me back, I think it should be a
book or movie, and I do believe Rodger had the
missing bones of Mac Gram in his possession, we
were told to lose them, I will never forget my time
spent on Palmyra.
Tim Collins Maui
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{from the publisher. Mr. Murray}
I took one of the last flights out with Aloha to Maui
on my way back home.... Fascinating story! I've
been in contact with Buck over the last couple of
years. He might be very happy to hear Mac's
bones got lost again .... Sounds like a fascinating
story. I'd be happy to feature a "draft" story on the
Gazette if you like. It's certainly possible to
develop a story line. You must have erected the
freezer unit's on the Atoll? I got bits and pieces of
the stories but of course there are many missing
pieces. I also heard from the owner of the
downed aircraft on the atoll. He sent along an
interesting story. He was there when the lady
discovered Muff's bones. Looking forward to
hearing your tales!
Sincerely Mike
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi and Aloha, Buck Walker was killed in prison,
this is what I heard, and read, maybe we are
speaking of a different Buck, anyhow I will be with
my brother Mark Collins today, which was the
Caption, of the South Pacific during that period he
can tell the story way better than I.. Kris
Kristofferson is our good friend and tried to help
us get released by Tarawa , and he always wanted
to make it into a movie, Brad Pitt playing me of
course. I have got to run, Please write me soon.
Tim Collins
(from Tim) Boy have I been wrong all these years
about old Buck, sorry.. I will give you a call, also
my Brother Mark.
(from Mike) Actually, Buck was paroled from
prison a couple of years ago and living in
California. Most of the new material or stories
came from him. Last heard from him on
Christmas 2008, give or take. Looking forward to
hearing your stories and maybe seeing some new
pictures! Be well Tim.
Palmyra Flag
Hi Michael, I'm in Nashville,
TN and have recently
discovered Palmyra Atoll.
I've read all the stories and
looked at all the pictures. I
have been so inspired by
the web site, I've begun to
write an ambient music
piece about a visit there. It
have pictures from your
have pictures from your
site and others all around
site and others all around
my studio for inspiration. I
my studio for inspiration. I
am very grateful for your
am very grateful for your
site as it is the most site
as it is the most
comprehensive I've seen.
I do have a question in all
this. Is there a way to
email team members on
the Atoll? I would love to
correspond with them and
have an occasional dialog
with them. I've read they
are not just sitting around
doing nothing. Anyway,
thanks for your site! I
can't say I understand this
strange fascination I have
developed with the place,
but I think I'll just enjoy it.
Sincerely. Michael Barrs
Thank you Michael for your
is a fascinating place
especially when you get an
opportunity to live there for
a while as I did. One of the
best adventures of my life!
Truly!
Michael E. Murray
TN and have recently
discovered Palmyra Atoll.
I've read all the stories and
looked at all the pictures. I
have been so inspired by
the web site, I've begun to
write an ambient music
piece about a visit there. It
have pictures from your
have pictures from your
site and others all around
site and others all around
my studio for inspiration. I
my studio for inspiration. I
am very grateful for your
am very grateful for your
site as it is the most site
as it is the most
comprehensive I've seen.
I do have a question in all
this. Is there a way to
email team members on
the Atoll? I would love to
correspond with them and
have an occasional dialog
with them. I've read they
are not just sitting around
doing nothing. Anyway,
thanks for your site! I
can't say I understand this
strange fascination I have
developed with the place,
but I think I'll just enjoy it.
Sincerely. Michael Barrs
Thank you Michael for your
is a fascinating place
especially when you get an
opportunity to live there for
a while as I did. One of the
best adventures of my life!
Truly!
Michael E. Murray
| Thanks to All the Visitors of the Palmyra Gazette. This Introduction is brought to you as a free service. Would you consider leaving a donation? All funds are reinvested back into the operation of this site and monthly fees to keep this public service open to all that would like to visit and learn more about Palmyra Atoll. |
| Update from Buck Walker Himself |
Mike,
It's been awhile, so thought check, see how you're doing, apprise you of my
latest, & hope to hear from you soon.
After hours over many days spent on Craigslist, rent.com, & other sites, I found
a possible rental up near Willits. It was originally a room in a woman's house,
but as we exchanged email's I learned she also had a nearly new 22 ft. travel
trailer for rent, it being parked some 6-7 miles west of Willits, up a gravel road
in a lovely little grove of tall redwoods, a seasonal creek some 20 yards down
the slope of the front yard, a swimming pond 50 yards down the way. Only
neighbors across the road a bit further up are 4 females of the species in 2
houses, also tenants on the 30-acre parcel owned by my landlady. Rich's
sister, Sue, was in S.F. to bring her brother to the Veterans Hospital for an
operation & called me. I persuaded her to drive me up the 150 miles to Willits
on April 23rd, hit it off w/landlady, wrote a check for 1st month's rent & part of
security deposit. I persuaded Sue, who was ready to make the long drive back
to Mariposa, to spend the night, rest up for the long drive back next day & she
departed in morning to leave me in my new Edenlike niche. Landlady, who
insists upon being called by her last name, Parker, is a crusty old dame of 67,
an amazing whirlwind of activity as she goes about demonstrating
phenomenal handyman skills in getting trailer appurtenances hooked up &
operable, from water supply to gray water & black water (terms I have only
recently learned the meaning of) drainage outlets, stringing telephone wire for
my land line phone hookup, & instructing me on all the elements of living here.
The trailer has a queen size bed, propane stove & fridge, bathroom - albeit
smallish - w/shower & tub (no more down the hall as in former fleabag digs).
Couple days ago I had a 100-gal. Propane tank installed to alleviate necessity
of toting 3 smaller tanks into town for refills - truck will come fill this new one.
But landlady raised my rent by $50 as a result, we arguing amiably - I claiming
to have improved her property, she that it was on her credit rating & besides
she'd informed me via pre-rental exchanges of email's. I tediously scrolled
thru them to check - migawd, she was right. She had mentioned possible
installation of solar panel battery-charger & propane tank for extra $100 per
month & I had nixed the solar panel idea as unnecessary once I'd figured out
the system's requirements. Batteries only serve lighting system, which has
minuscule drainage. Honda generator provides 115 volts for microwave,
VCR-player, charging my laptop, & things like heater &/or fan only while it is
running. Other expense is 5 or so gallons of gasoline per week for Honda
generator. Rent is 1/2 what I paid for fleabag room. Next mission is to acquire
my own transportation, preferably 4-banger pickup good on gas.
Therefore, I am "officially" moved, although I do not need permission to do so
or pre-or-post-approval, a rule not included in my conditions of parole - much to
my satisfaction, the P.O.'s chagrin. Rule 4 says I must only report a change of
address within 2 days of a change of residence - which applies only in my
assigned district. In going over a map provided by said P.O., which showed
the Northern District extending clear up to the Oregon border in a western
coastal strip from southern Santa Clara Co., I simply moved up here on April
23rd, the day I 1st came up & hit it off w/my landlady - I had brought all the stuff
in my hotel room & a few things from my storage locker stuffed in the bed of
hospital for operation & called, came over. I also notified the federal Probation
Dept. in Santa Rosa, under whose aegis I would come & soon heard back
from new P.O. announcing visit to check me out. Can't say I experience
loneliness as such - all those years in a single cell & mostly enjoying lock
downs - although I do own to looking forward to visits from Sue & her Mariposa
tribe, Rich, a few others. There is a library in town - next visit Tuesday when I
will go mostly for audio books, 2-3 VCR movies - & will also do some grocery
shopping. Have lined up local clinics so as to one day go in for prescription
refills, checkups. Have 4 females of the species a bit up & across the road,
Brooke & her mother, Kat, in one, Lauren & Derene in other, all seemingly
friendly. 1st day here, Brooke came marching down w/a card welcoming me to
the neighborhood along w/a homemade lemon custard cake. Soon's I can
make ccs of my poetry booklet, I will take them as presents to each household,
hope they invite me in for truly civilized conversation. Indications are that they
all read, in fact temporarily refused ccs of Palmyra on grounds of 1st whittling
down piles of books now reading, & so social future seems promising. (Snail
mail address removed for Buck's privacy)
How you done? Relationship situation? Genius-level abstractional or
objectivistic frontal lobe schematics?
Yer Admirer.
Da Buckeroo
It's been awhile, so thought check, see how you're doing, apprise you of my
latest, & hope to hear from you soon.
After hours over many days spent on Craigslist, rent.com, & other sites, I found
a possible rental up near Willits. It was originally a room in a woman's house,
but as we exchanged email's I learned she also had a nearly new 22 ft. travel
trailer for rent, it being parked some 6-7 miles west of Willits, up a gravel road
in a lovely little grove of tall redwoods, a seasonal creek some 20 yards down
the slope of the front yard, a swimming pond 50 yards down the way. Only
neighbors across the road a bit further up are 4 females of the species in 2
houses, also tenants on the 30-acre parcel owned by my landlady. Rich's
sister, Sue, was in S.F. to bring her brother to the Veterans Hospital for an
operation & called me. I persuaded her to drive me up the 150 miles to Willits
on April 23rd, hit it off w/landlady, wrote a check for 1st month's rent & part of
security deposit. I persuaded Sue, who was ready to make the long drive back
to Mariposa, to spend the night, rest up for the long drive back next day & she
departed in morning to leave me in my new Edenlike niche. Landlady, who
insists upon being called by her last name, Parker, is a crusty old dame of 67,
an amazing whirlwind of activity as she goes about demonstrating
phenomenal handyman skills in getting trailer appurtenances hooked up &
operable, from water supply to gray water & black water (terms I have only
recently learned the meaning of) drainage outlets, stringing telephone wire for
my land line phone hookup, & instructing me on all the elements of living here.
The trailer has a queen size bed, propane stove & fridge, bathroom - albeit
smallish - w/shower & tub (no more down the hall as in former fleabag digs).
Couple days ago I had a 100-gal. Propane tank installed to alleviate necessity
of toting 3 smaller tanks into town for refills - truck will come fill this new one.
But landlady raised my rent by $50 as a result, we arguing amiably - I claiming
to have improved her property, she that it was on her credit rating & besides
she'd informed me via pre-rental exchanges of email's. I tediously scrolled
thru them to check - migawd, she was right. She had mentioned possible
installation of solar panel battery-charger & propane tank for extra $100 per
month & I had nixed the solar panel idea as unnecessary once I'd figured out
the system's requirements. Batteries only serve lighting system, which has
minuscule drainage. Honda generator provides 115 volts for microwave,
VCR-player, charging my laptop, & things like heater &/or fan only while it is
running. Other expense is 5 or so gallons of gasoline per week for Honda
generator. Rent is 1/2 what I paid for fleabag room. Next mission is to acquire
my own transportation, preferably 4-banger pickup good on gas.
Therefore, I am "officially" moved, although I do not need permission to do so
or pre-or-post-approval, a rule not included in my conditions of parole - much to
my satisfaction, the P.O.'s chagrin. Rule 4 says I must only report a change of
address within 2 days of a change of residence - which applies only in my
assigned district. In going over a map provided by said P.O., which showed
the Northern District extending clear up to the Oregon border in a western
coastal strip from southern Santa Clara Co., I simply moved up here on April
23rd, the day I 1st came up & hit it off w/my landlady - I had brought all the stuff
in my hotel room & a few things from my storage locker stuffed in the bed of
hospital for operation & called, came over. I also notified the federal Probation
Dept. in Santa Rosa, under whose aegis I would come & soon heard back
from new P.O. announcing visit to check me out. Can't say I experience
loneliness as such - all those years in a single cell & mostly enjoying lock
downs - although I do own to looking forward to visits from Sue & her Mariposa
tribe, Rich, a few others. There is a library in town - next visit Tuesday when I
will go mostly for audio books, 2-3 VCR movies - & will also do some grocery
shopping. Have lined up local clinics so as to one day go in for prescription
refills, checkups. Have 4 females of the species a bit up & across the road,
Brooke & her mother, Kat, in one, Lauren & Derene in other, all seemingly
friendly. 1st day here, Brooke came marching down w/a card welcoming me to
the neighborhood along w/a homemade lemon custard cake. Soon's I can
make ccs of my poetry booklet, I will take them as presents to each household,
hope they invite me in for truly civilized conversation. Indications are that they
all read, in fact temporarily refused ccs of Palmyra on grounds of 1st whittling
down piles of books now reading, & so social future seems promising. (Snail
mail address removed for Buck's privacy)
How you done? Relationship situation? Genius-level abstractional or
objectivistic frontal lobe schematics?
Yer Admirer.
Da Buckeroo
Michael,
This is Fred Sorenson, writing from Las Vegas,
Nevada. I thought you might enjoy another picture
of a Lockheed Lodestar L-18 on Palmyra that
wasn't still in the bushes. I guess I am still the
owner of record of N163R which is the airplane
still on Palmyra. My father was the pilot on the day
of the crash.
On a subsequent trip with our second airplane
N350A we went to rescue the Canadian Sailor and
his two daughters when they were stranded on the
Island. I am enclosing a picture of N350A on the
end of the runway, much in the same position as
N8E. I actually assisted Maritime Air with the
tanking and preparations for the delivery of N8E to
Hawaii several years ago.
We are still in the aircraft delivery business and
often fly over Palmyra on the way to Samoa. I
recently took a Cessna Caravan to Korea, and
overflew Johnston Island on the way to Majuro. I
shot the enclosed picture of Johnston from the
Caravan's photo window at 8000 feet. I will try to
shoot some more vertical pictures of Palmyra the
next time we overfly it.
I have been on the Island about 10 times and each
trip was certainly an adventure. We were there the
day before Muff's body was found and met the two
sailboat couples that found the body the next day.
We were actually there to get some spare parts off
N163R for use on N350A. We spent three days
down there. My father was again with us and we
spent some time going over the events of the rainy
landing in January 1980.
My father passed away in January of 1999.
Other than the day of the accident, my most
memorable trip to Palmyra was a trip we flew
down to support the Plantation(?) started on the
island. We were contracted to take the second
airplane, N350A down with a load of baby chicks,
beer and supplies. We had four passengers to
Palmyra. We were suppose to spend the night,
and then leave the next day to go to Christmas
Island, with a stop at Fanning Island.
One of the principles of the trip had been to a party
the night before we departed Honolulu and was
driven to the airport by a lady that he had met at the
party. He was late for our departure. Let's just say
(Bob) then talked the young lady into going on the
trip with us. She had nothing but a black shift
dress, a clutch purse and high heels. She got on
the plane and we departed for Palmyra. On the
way down to Palmyra the young lady came up to
the cockpit and asked where we were going. I told
here to a beautiful resort in the South Pacific. We
asked her what her name was and she said
"Venus". We asked her if she had bought a round
trip ticket. She didn't know. When we got to
Palmyra we spent the day unloading the airplane,
touring the island in our Zodiac with Venus. We
actually got some great pictures, still in storage
somewhere and a great movie of a ray swimming
along side the boat all the way up the lagoon.
That night we talked to our contacts in Christmas
Island, where we were to go pick up an Australian
film crew and take them back to Honolulu. There
were too many people, Venus and Bob were going
to have to stay on Palmyra until we came back
down the following week. We left the next day,
without Venus and Bob went to Christmas and
back to Honolulu.
The following week, we again flew down to
Palmyra, arriving over Palmyra in a heavy rain
storm. No GPS back then, we could not make an
effective approach into the island. We had Bob's
girlfriend with us on this trip, trying to find out what
Bob was up to. We had to turn around and fly all
the way back to Honolulu. The G-1 is a great
airplane for the trip to Palmyra, but the Lockheed
had the full range to go down, fly around for an
hour and return to Honolulu with full reserves.
(continued next column.)
This is Fred Sorenson, writing from Las Vegas,
Nevada. I thought you might enjoy another picture
of a Lockheed Lodestar L-18 on Palmyra that
wasn't still in the bushes. I guess I am still the
owner of record of N163R which is the airplane
still on Palmyra. My father was the pilot on the day
of the crash.
On a subsequent trip with our second airplane
N350A we went to rescue the Canadian Sailor and
his two daughters when they were stranded on the
Island. I am enclosing a picture of N350A on the
end of the runway, much in the same position as
N8E. I actually assisted Maritime Air with the
tanking and preparations for the delivery of N8E to
Hawaii several years ago.
We are still in the aircraft delivery business and
often fly over Palmyra on the way to Samoa. I
recently took a Cessna Caravan to Korea, and
overflew Johnston Island on the way to Majuro. I
shot the enclosed picture of Johnston from the
Caravan's photo window at 8000 feet. I will try to
shoot some more vertical pictures of Palmyra the
next time we overfly it.
I have been on the Island about 10 times and each
trip was certainly an adventure. We were there the
day before Muff's body was found and met the two
sailboat couples that found the body the next day.
We were actually there to get some spare parts off
N163R for use on N350A. We spent three days
down there. My father was again with us and we
spent some time going over the events of the rainy
landing in January 1980.
My father passed away in January of 1999.
Other than the day of the accident, my most
memorable trip to Palmyra was a trip we flew
down to support the Plantation(?) started on the
island. We were contracted to take the second
airplane, N350A down with a load of baby chicks,
beer and supplies. We had four passengers to
Palmyra. We were suppose to spend the night,
and then leave the next day to go to Christmas
Island, with a stop at Fanning Island.
One of the principles of the trip had been to a party
the night before we departed Honolulu and was
driven to the airport by a lady that he had met at the
party. He was late for our departure. Let's just say
(Bob) then talked the young lady into going on the
trip with us. She had nothing but a black shift
dress, a clutch purse and high heels. She got on
the plane and we departed for Palmyra. On the
way down to Palmyra the young lady came up to
the cockpit and asked where we were going. I told
here to a beautiful resort in the South Pacific. We
asked her what her name was and she said
"Venus". We asked her if she had bought a round
trip ticket. She didn't know. When we got to
Palmyra we spent the day unloading the airplane,
touring the island in our Zodiac with Venus. We
actually got some great pictures, still in storage
somewhere and a great movie of a ray swimming
along side the boat all the way up the lagoon.
That night we talked to our contacts in Christmas
Island, where we were to go pick up an Australian
film crew and take them back to Honolulu. There
were too many people, Venus and Bob were going
to have to stay on Palmyra until we came back
down the following week. We left the next day,
without Venus and Bob went to Christmas and
back to Honolulu.
The following week, we again flew down to
Palmyra, arriving over Palmyra in a heavy rain
storm. No GPS back then, we could not make an
effective approach into the island. We had Bob's
girlfriend with us on this trip, trying to find out what
Bob was up to. We had to turn around and fly all
the way back to Honolulu. The G-1 is a great
airplane for the trip to Palmyra, but the Lockheed
had the full range to go down, fly around for an
hour and return to Honolulu with full reserves.
(continued next column.)
SEE N163R
North Beach Trail
| The AVI movie clips on this site run best with Internet Explorer.Mozilla Firefox requires a plug in. This version is set to play with Windows Media Player. Watch for up coming movie clips, features. |
| Editorial Welcomed. |
| from Tim Larson Palmyra Maintenance right before me and Dennis, and he meet Karen when she was there on the Kwai. CLICK on the PHOTO below to view his lovely pictures or click his link above |
| Could this be Boat? |
| Wall Paper. Click for a larger image, right click to save to your computer, click control panel to your monitor controls to add. Feel free to customize |
| Story From Tim Collins, Maui |
Story From Fred Sorenson N163R
Google Earth 3,366 Hits! South East of the Channel. 11/15/2009
Google Earth 3,192 Hits! Nesting Boobies! Sweet! 11/15/2009
| Palmyra Atoll: WWII Naval Air Station Contaminant Impacts on Terrestrial and Marine Ecosystems within the USFWS National Wildlife Refuge |
Statement of Problem: BACKGROUND ON PALMYRA: Palmyra is a remote atoll
located in the US Line Islands about 1000 nautical miles south of Hawaii
(5º53'N, 162º5'W). Palmyra's lagoons, coral reefs, intertidal zones, and
terrestrial ecosystems support a diversity of fish and wildlife. Palmyra Atoll
acres of both shallow and deep submerged reefs. In 2001, the waters and reefs
within 12 nautical miles of the atoll became the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
(USFWS) Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. About three fourths of the
emergent land belongs to USFWS, with the rest owned (since 2000) by The
Nature Conservancy (TNC). The atoll's 680 acres of emergent lands are densely
covered with a variety of tropical plants. Palmyra's coral reefs are among the
most diverse and pristine in the world. The atoll provides habitat for many
species of nesting seabirds, one of the last Pisonia forests in the U.S. Pacific,
the coconut crab (Birgus latro), and the endangered green sea turtle (Chelonia
mydas). THE PROBLEM: The atoll's terrestrial, lagoon, and coastal landscapes
were drastically modified in the early 1940¿s by the U.S. government's
development of the atoll as a U.S. Naval Air Station (housing 3000 troops). The
many islets of the atoll were connected with coral and sediment dredged from
the lagoon. Several islets including Strawn, Menge, and Cooper were connected
to form 222-acre Cooper Island, the largest single island of the atoll, which
served as the Naval Air Station Base and today is the base for TNC and USFWS
on Palmyra. Following WWII, much of the Naval Air Station was dismantled,
with some materials piled and burned on the atoll, dumped into the lagoon, or
as is the case of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) on some of the islets, left in
place.
Objectives: The goal of the USGS-CERC research effort is to describe potential
ecological threats associated with chemical contaminants that may be present
in Palmyra Atoll's terrestrial, intertidal, lagoon, and coral reef environments.
We have set out to create an annotated geospatial digital map of known and
potential sources of toxic elements and selected organic chemical contaminants
of Palmyra Atoll. As part of our overall Palmyra ecosystem assessment goal, we
assisted two other USGS coral reef studies: 1) virtual fish passive sampling of
water in reef areas as part of an Asian dust study, and 2) measure elements
(focusing on iron) in sediment and the corallimorph at the longliner ship wreck.
During our research study on Palmyra, we obtained approval from USFWS to
modify of our Special Use Permit (SUP) to allow us to investigate contaminant
levels in subsistence-caught fish and to conduct detailed elemental and organic
chemical analysis of soils from selected areas.
located in the US Line Islands about 1000 nautical miles south of Hawaii
(5º53'N, 162º5'W). Palmyra's lagoons, coral reefs, intertidal zones, and
terrestrial ecosystems support a diversity of fish and wildlife. Palmyra Atoll
acres of both shallow and deep submerged reefs. In 2001, the waters and reefs
within 12 nautical miles of the atoll became the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
(USFWS) Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. About three fourths of the
emergent land belongs to USFWS, with the rest owned (since 2000) by The
Nature Conservancy (TNC). The atoll's 680 acres of emergent lands are densely
covered with a variety of tropical plants. Palmyra's coral reefs are among the
most diverse and pristine in the world. The atoll provides habitat for many
species of nesting seabirds, one of the last Pisonia forests in the U.S. Pacific,
the coconut crab (Birgus latro), and the endangered green sea turtle (Chelonia
mydas). THE PROBLEM: The atoll's terrestrial, lagoon, and coastal landscapes
were drastically modified in the early 1940¿s by the U.S. government's
development of the atoll as a U.S. Naval Air Station (housing 3000 troops). The
many islets of the atoll were connected with coral and sediment dredged from
the lagoon. Several islets including Strawn, Menge, and Cooper were connected
to form 222-acre Cooper Island, the largest single island of the atoll, which
served as the Naval Air Station Base and today is the base for TNC and USFWS
on Palmyra. Following WWII, much of the Naval Air Station was dismantled,
with some materials piled and burned on the atoll, dumped into the lagoon, or
as is the case of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) on some of the islets, left in
place.
Objectives: The goal of the USGS-CERC research effort is to describe potential
ecological threats associated with chemical contaminants that may be present
in Palmyra Atoll's terrestrial, intertidal, lagoon, and coral reef environments.
We have set out to create an annotated geospatial digital map of known and
potential sources of toxic elements and selected organic chemical contaminants
of Palmyra Atoll. As part of our overall Palmyra ecosystem assessment goal, we
assisted two other USGS coral reef studies: 1) virtual fish passive sampling of
water in reef areas as part of an Asian dust study, and 2) measure elements
(focusing on iron) in sediment and the corallimorph at the longliner ship wreck.
During our research study on Palmyra, we obtained approval from USFWS to
modify of our Special Use Permit (SUP) to allow us to investigate contaminant
levels in subsistence-caught fish and to conduct detailed elemental and organic
chemical analysis of soils from selected areas.
| Shipwrecks Wrecking Coral Reefs? A Case Study At Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge |
ScienceDaily (Aug. 6, 2009) — For the first time, researchers have definitively
shown that shipwrecks and other man-made structures increase the potential
for large invasions of unwanted species into coral reefs, even comparatively
pristine ones. These unwanted species can completely overtake a reef and
eliminate native corals, dramatically decreasing the diversity of marine
organisms on the reef. Coral reefs can undergo fast changes in their dominant
life forms, a phenomenon referred to as phase shift.
shown that shipwrecks and other man-made structures increase the potential
for large invasions of unwanted species into coral reefs, even comparatively
pristine ones. These unwanted species can completely overtake a reef and
eliminate native corals, dramatically decreasing the diversity of marine
organisms on the reef. Coral reefs can undergo fast changes in their dominant
life forms, a phenomenon referred to as phase shift.
| Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Western Pacific Islands Paul Freeman. Revised 10/4/09. |
Employment: Employment: Field Station Manager, Palmyra Atoll
Employment: Field Station Manager, Palmyra Atoll
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working globally to protect ecologically important lands and waters for people and
nature. Located 1,000 miles south of Hawai‘i and an untold distance from civilization, Palmyra Atoll is one of the most spectacular marine
wilderness areas on Earth. Palmyra is a 680-acre atoll with 480,000 acres of lagoons, coral reefs, and submerged lands. Palmyra is a US Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) Refuge out to 12 miles and a Marine National Monument out to 50 miles.. The Nature Conservancy owns Cooper Island,
and manages the atoll in partnership with the USFWS and the Palmyra Atoll Research Consortium (PARC).
Palmyra’s research station supports scientific research by world renowned research institutions (see www.palmyra-research.org). Staff are hired
on a rotational basis for approximately 4 months at a time to run the research station and camp facilities. Board and lodging are provided while
on-island.
The Field Station Manager (FSM) is responsible for the overall management, supervision, and safety of Palmyra Atoll operations and staff. The
FSM is responsible for overseeing the maintenance of the field station facilities and equipment including generators, boats, and aircraft runway,
and the oversight of galley and housekeeping services. The FSM must lead and manage staff, and act as the primary liaison with visiting
researchers, guests, and visiting vessels’ crew and passengers.
This is a rotational position with the opportunity to return for future employment based on performance. Rotations require residence on Palmyra
Atoll with no option of leaving until rotation is complete.
The Nature Conservancy
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: FIELD STATION MANAGER, PALMYRA ATOLL
JOB FAMILY: Conservation
JOB NUMBER: 450005 (Conservation Practitioner V)
SALARY GRADE: 6
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
Employment: Field Station Manager, Palmyra Atoll
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working globally to protect ecologically important lands and waters for people and
nature. Located 1,000 miles south of Hawai‘i and an untold distance from civilization, Palmyra Atoll is one of the most spectacular marine
wilderness areas on Earth. Palmyra is a 680-acre atoll with 480,000 acres of lagoons, coral reefs, and submerged lands. Palmyra is a US Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) Refuge out to 12 miles and a Marine National Monument out to 50 miles.. The Nature Conservancy owns Cooper Island,
and manages the atoll in partnership with the USFWS and the Palmyra Atoll Research Consortium (PARC).
Palmyra’s research station supports scientific research by world renowned research institutions (see www.palmyra-research.org). Staff are hired
on a rotational basis for approximately 4 months at a time to run the research station and camp facilities. Board and lodging are provided while
on-island.
The Field Station Manager (FSM) is responsible for the overall management, supervision, and safety of Palmyra Atoll operations and staff. The
FSM is responsible for overseeing the maintenance of the field station facilities and equipment including generators, boats, and aircraft runway,
and the oversight of galley and housekeeping services. The FSM must lead and manage staff, and act as the primary liaison with visiting
researchers, guests, and visiting vessels’ crew and passengers.
This is a rotational position with the opportunity to return for future employment based on performance. Rotations require residence on Palmyra
Atoll with no option of leaving until rotation is complete.
The Nature Conservancy
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: FIELD STATION MANAGER, PALMYRA ATOLL
JOB FAMILY: Conservation
JOB NUMBER: 450005 (Conservation Practitioner V)
SALARY GRADE: 6
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
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