2016-01-14 Ltr. Case to Lodge re: Pittman-Robertson, WRF, HI Island GM Plan

Home

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES POST OFFICE BOX 621 HONOLULU, HAWAII 96809 January 14, 2016 Tom Lodge, Chairman Game Management Advisory Commission 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 Aloha Mr. Lodge: SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT KEKOA KALUHIWA FIRST DEPUTY W. ROY HARDY ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR - WATER AQUATIC RESOURCES BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATION BUREAU OF CONVEYANCES COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION AND COASTAL LANDS CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT ENGINEERING FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE HISTORIC PRESERVATION KAHOOLAWE ISLAND RESERVE COMMISSION LAND STATE PARKS In reply to your letter dated October 8, I would like to thank you again for the invitation to your November meeting and apologize for being unable to attend. In your letter, you had several questions that you wanted answered as well. I have copied your questions below and responded to them individually. PITTMAN-ROBERTSON Hawaii is apportioned $4.75 million annually in Pittman -Robertson Wildlife Conservation funding; $3.25 million to Wildlife Conservation Projects, and $1.5 million to Hunter Education and Shooting Range Development. P -R funds are derived from excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment. U.S. Code, Title 16, Chapter 5B, Section 669 specifies public participation in the development and implementation of P -R funded projects. P -R Question 1: What procedures are used to determine that P -R funded projects benefit game resources? Surveys and monitoring efforts to document results of management actions are carried out and are identified in the Pittman -Robertson (PR) 5 -year plan, available online. DOFAW employs educated and experienced Wildlife Biologists on every branch who work in the field daily monitoring hunter check stations, communicating with hunters, maintaining infrastructure and managing habitats, conducting ground and aerial surveys. Any data collected is analyzed and combined with their daily observations to inform the Biologist about the state of the resource, which in turn allows them to adapt their management strategies as needed. Additionally, specific and measurable parameters are identified in the P -R Game plan, which are tracked as they are implemented. These statistics and accomplishments are then compiled and reported in the annual P -R Grant Report, which is submitted to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). P -R Question 2: There is an institutionalized process for public involvement in state P -R funded projects. If not, how does the state comply with Title 16? Yes, DOFAW maintains a list of interested parties from whom it solicits comments for the development of the PR 5 -year plan. The last 5 -year plan is in its final year, so, we are just beginning to put together our next 5 - year plan. DOFAW staff on each district is reaching out to their constituents, listening and communicating with the community through direct conversations and addressing committees and organizations, such as the Kauai Aquatic Life and Wildlife Advisory Committee (KALAWAC) and the county -level Game Management Advisory Committee (GMAC) on Hawaii Island. Based on these conversations and their experience working with their partners implementing the present 5 -year P -R plan, each district will develop/modify their own