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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 047 Draft 01 2004-2006 ASV 06 N rL~ i ~~Ji~s COUN`T'Y O~ I~A~IAI~I a ST~°TE Off' ~IAW~I~I p •:a v. ~ 4rE O, f,~',~P RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION THAT SUPPORTS STATE HOUSE AND SENATE LEGISLATNE MEASURES, HOUSE BILL 1160 AND COMPANION SENATE BILL 1489, WHICH APPROPRIATES $2,000,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2005-2006 AND $2,000,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007 TO ERADICATE COQUI FROGS ON THE BIG ISLAND THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AMULTI-AGENCY COQUI FROG ERADICATION PROGRAM ON THE ISLAND OF HAWAII WHEREAS, the Caribbean tree frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui, known more commonly as coqui frog, is an invasive species that was accidentally introduced to the Big Island, probably attached to nursery plants, in the early 1990's; and WHEREAS, the earliest coqui infestations were relatively small and were found mainly in nurseries and adjoining areas; and WHEREAS, in the past 15 years, because the coqui have an unusual reproductive cycle and a lack of natural predators, the coqui population has exploded WHEREAS, researchers estimate that there are over 200 infestations on the Big Island alone; and WHEREAS, in the short and long term, the economic well-being of the Big Island is at risk from the negative impact of the coqui; and WHEREAS, in heavily infested areas, the coqui have become a major nocturnal noise nuisance, emitting noise measured at levels exceeding the Department of Health's maximum permissible sound level of 70 dBA (decibels); and WHEREAS, the nocturnal noise of the coqui interferes with the quiet and comfortable enjoyment of life; and WHEREAS, on this isolated island, the expanding coqui infestation is an invitation for a future environmental nightmare because it puts the fragile ecosystem of the Big Island at extreme risk: ~ The risk for the survival of native wildlife because coqui frogs consume a large amount of insects, including native crickets and native fruit flies, which are a food source for a large number of native birds. The risk that the coqui invasion could set the stage for the invasion of other unwanted species--for example, if the frog-eating brown tree snakes were accidentally introduced to the Big Island they would have an abundant source of food; WHEREAS, in light of the above, Mayor Harry Kim issued a declaration of emergency regarding the proliferation of the coqui frog population on the Big Island on April 12, 2004; and WHEREAS, government agencies the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture, the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources have worked with business and community groups to address the issue of coqui frogs, but their success is limited by the amount of funding; and WHEREAS, H.B. 1160 and S.B. 1489 are legislative measures which, if approved, can meet some of the funding needs by providing funding of $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2005-?006 and another $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2006-2007 to establish amulti-agency coqui frog eradication program, administered by the state department of agriculture, to combat the coqui frog infestation on the Big Island. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the County of Hawaii that it supports the intent and purpose of H.B. 1 160 and companion S.B.1489 to secure funding for the establishment of amulti-agency coqui frog eradication program for Hawaii County. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Clerk of the County of Hawaii shall transmit copies of this resolution to the Honorable Linda Lingle, Governor, State of Hawaii, Honorable Harry Kim, Mayor, County of Hawaii; and all members of the State House of Representative and all members of the State Senate. Dated at Hilo , Hawaii, this 1st day of March 2005 INTRODUCED BY: r` \ C J-~- COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL ~ - County of Hawaii AWES NOES AB5 Ex H110, HaWal`1 ARAKAKI HIGA i 1 I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by HOFFMANN X the ~ ~~tc indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the i 2005 HOLSCHUH X _ ~ County of Hawaii ~m _ March 1 , 1KEDA X ISBELI.. X A I l EST: JACOBSON X PI LAGO X SAFARIK - ! i 9 0 0 0 ~ / , ~ Reference: C-108/Waived pWI)~ COUNTY C LERK CHAiRM&~PRESID[NG OFFICER RESOLUTION NO.