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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
98 |
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TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO prepare a plan TO REDUCE THE FERAL PIG POPULATION IN THE TANTALUS AREA.
WHEREAS, feral pigs are an invasive species that cause considerable damage to the environment by: consuming ground-cover plants; destroying understory vegetation; churning and wallowing in the ground, causing erosion; and creating mosquito breeding areas; and
WHEREAS, feral pigs also directly impact the survival of native forest birds and other species; and
WHEREAS, these pests have migrated in increasing numbers from state land to neighborhoods in the Tantalus and other residential areas causing property damage and disturbances that affect the health, safety, and welfare of area residents; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Land and Natural Resources has the duty and responsibility under section 171-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to "manage and administer ... forests, forest reserves, ... public hunting areas, [and] natural area reserves ...; and
WHEREAS, it appears that the most common method of controlling feral pig populations has been by scheduled hunting seasons sanctioned by the Department of Land and Natural Resources; and
WHEREAS, ironically, despite the increase and the environmental damage caused by feral pigs in the Tantalus area, the Department of Land and Natural Resources has shortened the hunting season, thereby allowing feral pigs to maintain their numbers; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to prepare a plan to identify areas where feral pigs are a problem and reduce the feral pig population by considering, but not being limited to, the following:
(1) Expanding game management areas;
(2) Expanding public hunting areas;
(3) Lengthening the hunting season for feral pigs;
(4) Eliminating the bag limit on feral pigs; and
(5) Contracting with private hunters for the removal of feral pigs by the use of snares and traps, particularly near residential areas; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to submit the plan, along with findings and recommendations, to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Report Title:
Feral Pigs; Tantalus
Description:
Requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to prepare a plan to reduce the feral pig population in the Tantalus area.