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+tYW~ <br /> <br /> Harry Kim r~';,;~ ~r~ ~'•.,s Jane H. Testa <br /> Mnyor Direclor <br /> r•. Diane L. Ley <br /> A o•'e~'~ `c~~ Deputy Direclor <br /> ~ 1 _ -_n <br /> County of Hawaii ' <br /> DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT <br /> 25 Aupuni Street, Room 109 Hilo, Hawaii 96720-0252 <br /> (808) 961-8366 • Fax (808) 935-1205 -fit <br /> E-mail: chresdev@co.hawaii.hi.us <br /> tV <br /> • April 17, 2007 - = <br /> Honorable Emily Nae'ole, Chairperson & Committee Members <br /> Committee on Human Services and Economic Development <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii <br /> Communication 295 (Resolution 134-07) Relating to Feral Pig Control <br /> Dear Chairperson Nae'ole and Committee Members: <br /> The Department of Research and Development appreciates this opportunity to <br /> provide comments on Communication 295 (Resolution 134-07), which would <br /> authorize the Mayor, Department of Research and Development and a <br /> designated Council Member to coordinate with an established Hawaii Island pig <br /> hunters association to formulate aone-year pilot program to trap invasive feral <br /> pig populations within Hawaii island residential communities and agricultural <br /> farm lots. The Department of Research and Development does not support this <br /> initiative as presented. <br /> The Department recognizes that feral pig activity in residential areas has caused <br /> concern in terms of safety of residents and pets and damage to landscaping. <br /> Additionally, farms and orchards have experienced significant economic losses <br /> due to feral pigs feeding directly on plants, fruits and nuts, as well as damages <br /> due to grubbing, rooting and overturning soil and crops. However, the <br /> Department has no program areas that address game management. We lack the <br /> required level of expertise to initiate, manage, monitor and evaluate such a <br /> program activity. Furthermore, we lack the expertise to address the inevitable <br /> questions and issues related to private property access rights; liability concerns <br /> related to accidents; use of firearms in residential communities and agricultural <br /> areas; spread of serious diseases such as psuedorabies and brucellosis to <br /> humans, domestic pigs, cattle and dogs; human illnesses as a result of eating <br /> contaminated or improperly processed and handled meat or meat products; <br /> humane treatment of animals; and a host of other issues related to game <br /> management. <br /> Comm. No. ~ qs- <br /> Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer , <br /> a.. t C': a., 1 I Z~O~ <br /> . u: , <br /> <br />