HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP EMC 008 11/08/2005 2004-2006 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTF,E ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
DATE: November 8, 2005 Re: Rcs. 190-OS
PLACE: Councilroom Comm. 490
TIME: 3:30 p.m.
Council Chair Higa and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo. Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Environmental Management, to which was referred Comm. No. 490 and
attached Resolution 190-OS reports as follows:
~'hc purpose of Resolution 190-OS is to support the consolidated efforts of Coqui Frog Working
Group to control and eradicate coqui frogs in Hawaii County.
The Carihbcen Trec Frog, also known as the coqui frog, was accidentally introduced to Hawaii
t?om Puerto Rico in 1988. The coqui frog has no natural enemies in Hawaii that can keep its
population in check.
The coqui frog population has exploded in the last I S years and may threaten Hawaii County's
fragile ecosystem and economy.
Communication has been received from the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce on behalf of
its 650-member businesses noting their deep u>ncem and alanro by the widespread coqui frog
population in W cst Hawaii and its threat to gmowth of commerce and well being of the
community.
Communication has also been received from volunteers of the Kaloko Mauka Coqui Coalition
noting their months of diligent efforts to keep coqui frogs from spreading outside of a 60-acre
epicenter in their neighborhood community and seeking assistance to further their efforts.
The Coqui Frog Working Group is amulti-agency working group comprised of Federal, State
and County agencies, organizations, and volunteers working together in a joint effort to control
the spread of coqui frogs into coqui-free areas.
The Coqui Frog Working Group is confident that island-wide educational outrc;ach to retail
outlets, plant nurseries, landscapers, and the community will provide a sound basis of
inti~rniation regarding methods of coyui frog eradication and control.
For infbrmalional purposes. Councihnember Virginia Isbell voted "kanalua" twice.
EMC Rept. No. 8
Crnnmunicafion 490
Rcs.190-OS
Page
Your Committee nn Environmental Management is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Resolution 190-05, and recommends adoption.
I3.I/~ w
AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted
ARAKAKI X
IIIGA X COMM(TTF.F.~(N VIROMIMENTA[. MANAGEMENT
HOPPMANN X ^ -
IiOLSCHUII X - ~ ,=-7~'~~~
IKEDA X f3OB.lACOBS~N, CHAIR
ISDLLL _ _ X _
JACOBSON X
PILAGO X
SAPARIR ~X
EMC REPORT NO H
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