THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

50

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

requesting A review of methodologies used for controlling non-native game animals in Hawaii's forest areas.

 

WHEREAS, Hawaii's forest areas provide nearly all of the State's fresh water supply for residential, commercial, and agricultural uses; and

WHEREAS, for centuries, Hawaii's forests were isolated from foreign species of plants and animals, developing into a fragile ecosystem that lacked many of the necessary defense mechanisms native plants and animals need to compete against non-native weeds, diseases, and animals; and

WHEREAS, since 1778, pigs, goats, sheep, and deer have been introduced to Hawaii's forests as game animals; and

WHEREAS, scientific research has shown that many of these non-native animals cause significant damage to the ecology of Hawaii's forests and impair the forests' watershed functions; and

WHEREAS, since the introduction of game animals in Hawaii, a culture of hunting has developed for recreation and food; however, hunting alone does not keep non-native animal populations low enough to minimize damage to the forests and watershed; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is responsible for managing and providing public hunting opportunities in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Land and Natural Resources also teams up with other public and private entities to protect and manage Hawaii's remaining forest areas to ensure proper water supply; and

WHEREAS, conservation in forest areas currently involves the use of a number of methodologies and practices for non-native animal control, including fencing, hunting, live trapping, and snaring; and

WHEREAS, however, some animal care and hunting organizations oppose a number of methodologies used to control animal populations; and

WHEREAS, it is in the State's interest to review any updated information available on animal control methodologies to ensure the best techniques are used and take into consideration their effectiveness and the humane treatment of captured animals; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to collaborate with land conservation, hunting, and animal care organizations to review various methodologies for controlling non-native game animals in Hawaii's forest areas; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to form a working group that includes the University of Hawaii's Botany Department, the Departments of Water Supply for the Counties of Hawaii and Maui, the Department of Water for the County of Kauai, the Board of Water Supply for the City and County of Honolulu, conservation, hunting, and animal care organizations, and companies and other individuals with expertise or interests in watershed areas; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to review current and alternative methodologies for controlling non-native game animals in Hawaii's forest areas by assessing their effectiveness, humaneness, practicality, and expense and make recommendations for appropriate changes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature not later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the President of the University of Hawaii, the Mayor of each county, Animal Rights Hawai'i, Conservation Council of Hawai'i, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, the Hawaiian Humane Society, the Hawaii Rifle Association, the Maui Invasive Species Committee, the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, Pig Hunters of Hawaii, Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary, and the Sierra Club.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

DLNR; Hawaii Forests; Non-Native Animal Control