|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
98 |
|
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006 |
H.D. 1 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
||
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ASSIST IN MANAGING THE FERAL PIG POPULATION IN THE TANTALUS AND MANOA 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 impact the survival of native forest birds and other species; and
WHEREAS, these pests are recurrent problems in neighborhoods in the Tantalus, Manoa, 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 (DLNR) 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, many areas in which feral pigs are a problem are on private or DLNR-managed lands that are not normally open to hunting due to conflicts with other public uses and public safety reasons; and
WHEREAS, DLNR has expertise in managing feral pigs on public lands, and in facilitating management and control of pigs on private lands; 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 DLNR is requested to assist in managing the feral pig population in the Tantalus and Manoa area; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DLNR is requested to use its authority under section 13-123-4; Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) to adjust hunting seasons, including, but limited to:
(1) Identifying areas where feral pigs are a problem;
(2) Meeting with community groups to assess the needs and developing public support for feral pig control in public areas;
(3) Implementing special hunts in problem areas after consultation with community members to ensure public safety and support; and
(4) Authorizing, under section 13-123-4, HAR, the removal of feral pigs by private hunters using dogs, spears, knives, snares, and traps, particularly near residential areas;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DLNR is requested to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature not later than 20 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.
Report Title:
Feral Pigs; Tantalus and Manoa
Description:
Requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to reduce the feral pig population in Tantalus and Manoa.