THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	41
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO CONVENE A FERAL GAME MAMMAL WORKING GROUP TO FIND, SOLICIT, AND DISTRIBUTE GRANTS FOR THE CONTROL OF FERAL GAME MAMMALS.

WHEREAS, feral game mammals and, in particular, feral ungulates, have long been recognized as a significant threat to the integrity and health of native ecosystems in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, feral ungulates jeopardize the component species that comprise native habitats, making the management of feral ungulates a high priority for the State; and

WHEREAS, many rare and endangered plants occur in otherwise inaccessible areas, but goats are adept climbers and can access steep and rugged terrain to accelerate erosion and spread weeds in these fragile environments; and

WHEREAS, mouflon sheep graze on native vegetation such as mamane-naio forests on Mauna Kea, which serve as the habitat and the main food source for the Palila, a Hawaiian honeycreeper endemic to the island of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, feral pigs can quickly destroy eighty percent of plant ground cover; commonly uproot native tree ferns to eat their starchy interiors; and dig up soil for wallows, creating cavities in which water can collect that then become breeding grounds for mosquitos, which harbor diseases such as avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum) and bird pox (Avipoxvirus) to which native birds have little or no natural immunity; and

WHEREAS, Axis deer populations in Maui County have ballooned to more than sixty thousand, and their migration into agricultural and urbanized areas create the potential for spreading diseases to human populations; and

WHEREAS, to minimize or prevent these impacts to Hawaii's ecosystems and communities, funds must first be identified and secured for a successful feral game mammal control plan to be implemented; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Department of Agriculture is requested to convene a Feral Game Mammal Working Group to find, solicit, and distribute grants for the control of feral game mammals to address the environmental, health, and safety concerns that they pose in the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following individuals are requested to serve as members of the Feral Game Mammal Working Group:

(1) A member of the Department of Agriculture Animal Industry Division, selected by the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture;

(2) A member of the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, selected by the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources;

(3) A community member who resides in an area impacted by feral game mammal activity to be selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(4) A community member who resides in an area impacted by feral game mammal activity to be selected by the President of the Senate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Feral Game Animals; Working Group; Department of Agriculture; Department of Land and Natural Resources