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

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island -specific P -R plans and objectives. These plans will be brought together on the statewide level and form a draft 5 -year plan. This draft will then be sent out to key partners, community members, committees and organizations as well as posted on our website for comments. We will also publish a press release asking of comments as we work towards preparing the compliance forms and getting federal approval for the proposed activities within the plan. Once the plan is accepted by the FWS, the DOFAW staff work with the community, partners and volunteers to implement the activities described within the plan. WILDLIFE REVOLVING FUND Most of revenue in the state Wildlife Revolving Fund (WRF) comes from hunters via sales of hunting licenses, tags, fines and stamps. The 2014 WRF report to the legislature states the purpose of WRF funds is to manage and enhance public hunting opportunities in Hawaii. WRF Question 1: How can suitable public hunting opportunities be managed without first appropriately managing game animal resources upon which hunting depends? Public hunting opportunities are provided by enabling access to areas in which hunting is available and through informed management of game mammal populations. Where appropriate, game species are managed through predator control, invasive vegetation control, wildfire prevention measures, access and infrastructure maintenance, as well as the establishment of game guzzlers and food plots. The impact of these management activities is evaluated through aerial surveys, ground surveys, monitoring hunter check stations - hunting pressure, hunting success and hunter feedback. Based on this, seasons, bag limits, special hunts and other mechanisms are established as needed, based on the management objectives of that specific area. Furthermore, most islands have a stocking program for some gamebirds to help assure a quality hunting experience. WRF Question 2: The WRF is obligated to match P -R expenditures. How do these expenditures benefit game mammal resources when these expenditures are considered "enhancement" and a threat to any threatened or endangered plant or animal anywhere in proximity, and subsequently denied? Simply put, all WRF funds benefit game resources and promote hunting, thus, where possible and with careful planning and monitoring, we can and do use WRF funds for game mammal resources. Given the large numbers of threatened and endangered species in Hawaii, compliance with Endangered Species Act laws in relation to game mammal management can be challenging. The Department strives to conduct game management where conflicts with threatened and endangered species do not occur, and to secure compliance with laws where they do occur together. WRF Question 3: How is the hunting public, the beneficiary of these funded projects, involved in their development? First, the P -R 5 -year Game Management Plan is available to the public through the DLNR website, and is freely provided to anyone requesting it through our offices. Secondly, the hunting public is involved in the development of the projects by participating in community meetings, through communication and participation in community groups, like GMAC and ALAWAC, who then communicate their group needs and suggestions to DLNR/DOFAW, participating in organized hunting events, filling out hunting check -station information thoroughly, participating in surveys, taking time to 2