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gHE NpqyF Commorib,eaitb of the -flortbern Sarfana R5tanb.5 <br /> z�4 "yA Office of the 00bernor <br /> Mepartment of lanbz aIlb _Oatural Rezou rez <br /> (Caller Tgox 10007 <br /> OFF/CIAL SF' 6aipan> _.urtbern :01ariana lotanb36 96950 <br /> o Cable abbre�s: <br /> o On. -111+13I &atpan <br /> p Telephone: 322-9830/ 9834 <br /> D _fax: 322-2633 <br /> O <br /> 10 May 2004 <br /> To whom it may concern: <br /> 0 <br /> 15� <br /> Thorne Abbott served the CNMI Department of Land & Natural Resources, Division of <br /> Q Fish & Wildlife as the Natural Resource Planner from October 2001 until September <br /> 2003. Upon completing his contract with the Division, his firm, CoastalZone.com <br /> provided consulting services until May 2004. <br /> Thorne helped the Division recommend prudent measures to avoid, minimize or <br /> mitigate the incidental take of endangered species by economic development and <br /> infrastructure proposals. He was the agency's voting representative for 28 permit <br /> applications and provided agency comment on an additional 64 applications. Thorne <br /> helped secure $970,000 in State Wildlife Grant monies from the US Fish & Wildlife <br /> Service for the Division's efforts over the next five years. Collaborating with his <br /> colleagues, they authored a sustainable fisheries Act, a USFWS-approved management <br /> plan for the Nightingale Reed-warbler species mitigation bank, and completed four fiscal <br /> cycles of coral reef conservation grants. He actively promoted our conservation and <br /> marine sanctuaries program locally, in inter-agency forums, regionally, nationally and <br /> internationally. He singly completed an IUCN/WWF-sponsored MPA management <br /> effectiveness indicators study and gained the Division national accolades for being led <br /> the first State or Territory to complete an inventory of its marine protected areas <br /> ( ). His efforts culminated with writing regulations for all our protected <br /> areas, contributing to policy as a Delegate at the IUCN World Parks Congress, and <br /> authoring a website for the Division ( ). Active in the sometimes <br /> contentious, Coral Reef Initiative, Thorne helped secure 11 walkie-talkies (verse 3) for <br /> our Conservation Officers and helped garner funding for two patrol vessels, fuel, and <br /> salary for three new Marine Conservation Officer positions. <br /> Thorne worked hard and tirelessly promoted the Division's needs and jurisdictional <br /> mandates. It has been rough at times in our effort to do our tasks but things seemed to <br /> find its way through to our favor. He has have been productive and delivered what <br /> needs to be done. Accordingly, I would recommend him for employment with your <br /> organization. <br /> Sinc ly, <br /> ichard B. Serfian <br /> Secretary, CNMI Department of Lands & Natural Resources <br /> Former Director, CNMI Division of Fish & Wildlife <br /> I <br />