2014-06-09 Game Management Advisory Commission Minutes

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compelling argument, which is a Game Management Plan. MB said fencing is part of the future. We're seeing collateral damage. DLNR should be accountable. MB spoke about the effects of fencing. The fences have created a situation where animals are destroying property because they are prevented from going into their "natural habitat." Fencing is now being erected by NARS and watershed. Ike questioned the state's response to protect the palila by saying that the palila habitat decision said the animals could co -exist. WB said the state is protecting the watershed. The state is protecting the public resource. TL said there is no threat to the watershed and the state's arguments are flawed. He said the people in Hawaii should be able to choose what to do with resource. TL also said the constitutional protection was lost by slight of hand. There are some weird things going on. Mayor offered to match $110K from the state. TL asked what happened to the bill. TS said DLNR was concerned about where the money was going to come from and talked the Leg out of it. WB said GMAC ideas are not bad, but GMAC needs to know what the hurdles are before they start the race. WB said GMAC should convince the state to give greater consideration that our wild animals are just as important to the public as endangered plants or birds, and so there should be better balance. Maybe we can find a better funding source. TL said this is because there is no game management plan. He suggested a $25 license fee and getting the money into the wildlife revolving fund. We need to get the rules changed. BC said draft a letter from the mayor that says the fencing has unintended consequences and we humbly ask that the state address those things. WC said the other side of the sword is eradication. He said this is part of a grand plan to eradicate all the game animals. I agree that we be proactive but we gotta be careful. IY said GMAC needs to define what we're talking about. State is schzo. In one part of HRS it talks about animals as game. In others it talks about animals as invasive. MB moved that we write a letter saying that there are unintended consequences. TS seconds, IY said this should be written with the entire state in mind. TL said the problem is not the pigs but the fencing. DLNR wants DOA to do something about it. MB said he would draft this letter. WB said to draft and submit at the next meeting for approval. Motion was unanimous by voice vote. Public meeting is closed Executive Session called to clarify the duties and responsibilities of the commission.