Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program FY17_FY21

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Project 4 W-30-NP-01 Napu`u Conservation Project — West Hawaii A. Need Game mammal hunting has been an important activity in the Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve and the Puu Anahulu GMA (Project Area) for more than a century. Access to hunting areas within the Project Area is via four-wheel drive roads which act as fuel breaks in this highly fore prone environment. The four wheel drive roads need to be actively maintained to prevent overgrowth by invasive weeds, primarily fountain grass and tree tobacco. In addition to being a valuable hunting area, the Project Area is also home to 15 endangered plant species and one endangered moth species. The Division of Forestry and Wildlife has been developing a state Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) that will protect these endangered species while also implementing game mammal population enhancements. Fenced exclosures as well as propagation and outplanting of native plant species will help avoid and minimize impacts from game mammals as well improve game bird habitat. While the HCP will provide the Division of Forestry and Wildlife with an incidental take license on a State level, a Biological Opinion (BO) will be required before any federal assistance can be applied to game mammal enhancement activities in the Project Area. Data that will be required of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to complete this BO will be collected by contractors and state employees. Federal assistance is requested to fulfill USFWS requirements to complete the BO. B. Objectives • Maintain over 70 miles of hunter and fire access roads within the Project Area. • Assess current status of existing and proposed critical habitat areas within the Plan based on the informational needs required from the USFWS. • Implement habitat restoration activities in exclosures to improve game bird habitat and mitigate for game mammals impacts on native species in the Plan Area. C. Expected Results • Continued hunter access into the Project Area via cleared four wheel drive roads. A map roads maintained for hunter access and fire minimization. • Data from field surveys will be provided to the USFWS for the development of a BO for the Plan Area. The BO would instruct the state as to which game mammal management activities would be appropriate for federal assistance. • Implementation of outplanting activities in fenced exclosures to improve game bird habitat as well as offset negative impacts on native plant species from game mammals. D. Approach Utilize contractors (1 Project Coordinator, 1 Field Crew Leader, and 3Field Assistants) and State employees to collect data required by the USFWS for the completion of the BO. 15