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Co~~t. [92
Murashige, Laura
From: Robert Shallenberger [rshallenberger@TNC.ORG]
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 12:46 PM M9 APR 20 Pfd 12 47
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Council Resolution 67-09 - Feral Cattle at Honua'ula FR OUN] i= '!t,f; ii[
TO: Hawaii Council Members
I urge you to vote NO on Council Resolution 67-09.
Resolution 67-09 requests the State Department of Land and Natural Resources to stop the use of helicopter
shooting to eradicate feral cattle from Honua'ula Forest Reserve.
DLNR should be commended for their efforts to protect and restore the native forest of Honua'ula. Left
uncontrolled, feral cattle will destroy the integrity of this important ecosystem. Feral cattle present a very difficult
management challenge to the landowner. A well trained marksman and an experienced helicopter pilot can
accomplish in a short time what ground-based hunters are unable to accomplish. The operation is safe, efficient
and humane. The neighboring landowners.and the public are informed prior to the hunt through written notification
and the media.
The assertion that feral cattle are not killing koa trees and preventing forest recovery is simply wrong. Browsing
and rooting by feral cattle, pigs, goats and sheep have had a very serious impact on native ecosystems and now
inhibit forest recovery, sustainable timber harvest and the sequestration of carbon. Likewise, the suggestion that
the practice of scarifying land to promote recovery increases the flooding of land downhill is also misinformed.
Proper scarification after animal removal leads to native revegetation of overgrazed pasture. Over time, this
practice will reduce, not increase, flooding and sedimentation.
In sum, this resolution, if adopted, would remove a critically important tool from the State land manager's toolbox.
In so doing, the Council would prevent the State from doing its job.
I urge you to consider the consequences and vote NO on Resolution 67-09.
Mahalo, Rob Shallenberger
Please consider the environment before printing this email
Robert Shallenberger, Ph.D. The Nature Conservancy
Hawaii Island Conservation Director Hawai'i Island Office
P.O. Box 6600 TheNature
rshallenberger@tnc.org Kamuela, HI 96743 Conservancy
(808) 443-5404 (Phone) Protecting nature. Preserving life.
(808) 937-1775 (Mobile)
(808) 885-4219 (Fax)
nature.org
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Ref. To, ~Otit~c'L
Ref. Date GP 22 20u?:.~
4/20/2009