2016-09-1 Ltr. GMAC to USDA re: Aerial Broadcasting of Rodenticide and Pohakuloa Public Hunting Land

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William P. Kenoi Mayor Randall M. Kurohara Managing Director Robert H. Command Deputy Managing Director County ofHawai'i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, 96740 (808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 Hawai'i County Game Management Advisory Commission September 1, 2016 USDAIAPHISIW SINWRC Hilo Field Station 210 Amauula Road Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Attn: Shane R. Siers PhD Project Leader Robert T. Sugihara Biological Technician Re: Aerial broadcasting of rodenticide and Pohakuloa public hunting land. Dear Project Leader Shane Siers, The County Game Management Advisory Commission of Hawaii Island would like to express our appreciation that you are responsive to the concerns and values of the public. We kindly request a disclosure of all scheduled testing and application of broadcast rodenticide, particularly for the Pohakuloa Training Area. We ask all plans be postponed until the questions of game and public safety are satisfied. We would like to receive information assuring the protection of our wild ground feeding game birds from primary risk. We would also like to receive assurance there wi.11 not be primary and secondary effects in our wild pigs, and the natural predators of rats and mongoose. These game are a food resource for hunters, their families, and friends. Pohakuloa is a popular public hunting area with a variety of wild game, protected by the Hawaii State Constitution. This is a human. health issue, as well as a concern for our historical sport and food resource. Some game birds, like quail and francolin are no larger than a rat or mongoose. It is not unusual for the liver in game birds to be of food value, where rodenticide stores. We request the USDA protect and promote the welfare of our wild game birds and hoofed an.i.mals, the quality of the environment, human. health, and the cultural practice of hunting. Shane R. Siers, PhD Project Leader County al Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.