HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0192.011 2008-2010
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Murashige, Laura ~
From: Marjorie Ziegler [mz@conservehi.org]
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 4:37 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us; dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us; jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us;
donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us; enaeole@co.hawaii.hi.us; genriques@co.hawaii.hi.us;
bford@co.hawaii.hi.us; kgreenwell@co.hawaii.hi.us; phoffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony on Reso 67-09
Attachments: reso 67-09 testimony.pdf
reso 67-09
estimony.pdf (120
CCH testimony for County Council hearing Wednesday, 4/22/09 9 am
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Ref. Uate_APR 22 2009
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Conservation Council for Hawalr1
April 22, 2009
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Via Email: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Testimony in Opposition to Resolution 67-09 Hawaii County Council Hearing: April 22, 2009 9 am
Members of the Hawaii County Council,
Aloha. The Conservation Council for Hawaii opposes Resolution 67-09 because it seeks to prevent the
Department of Land and Natural Resources from fulfilling its mandate to protect and manage our Forest
Reserves. Most, if not all of the designated Forest Reserves are ceded land. These lands are held in trust by
the State for the benefit of Hawai`i's people and future generations. The Forest Reserves are also valuable as
habitat for rare and endangered Hawaiian species, watersheds for drinking and irrigation water, and sources
from which selected forest products can be harvested.
Cattle grazing is not compatible with the purposes for which the Forest Reserves were established in
Hawaii. Grazing cattle inhibit the regeneration of koa and other native plants used in reforestation efforts.
If the DLNR thought that cattle grazing was the best use of this land, the DLNR certainly would have pulled
this area out of Forest Reserve status and put it under the Land Division for leasing to private ranchers. But,
the DLNR has not done so, therefore, we hope you will support and work with the DLNR to protect the
Forest Reserve and watershed. There are appropriate areas in Hawaii for cattle grazing. We commend
responsible ranchers who graze in these areas, fence their animals in, provide adequate pasture and
watering holes, and ensure humane harvesting and slaughtering of these animals.
Aerial shooting of wild cattle, if done carefully, is a safe and humane way to remove cattle. A sharpshooter
shooting from a helicopter is more humane than most slaughterhouses and more humane than some hunters
using poorly trained dogs for pigs, sheep, goats, and deer. If the County is willing to pay for the timely and
complete removal of wild cattle from this area using an alternative method, we would support that.
Regardless of which method is used to remove these cattle, the owner of the cattle should be billed for all
expenses incurred by the state or the county. We should also do everything in our power to discourage
private landowners from feeding at the public trough at the expense of public trust lands and the people.
Last, the fact that grazing cattle is incompatible with the regeneration of native Hawaiian forests is not
responsible for the continued decline of the cattle industry in Hawaii. Other factors, such as the cost of
land, feed, energy, labor, and transportation, and market demand are critical to whether the industry
continues or not. Mahalo nui loa for the opportunity to testify.
Sincerely,
Marjorie Ziegler
M Working Today for the Nature of Tomorrow!
Telephone/Fax 808.593.0255 • email: info@conservehi.org • web: www@conservehi.org
P.O. Box 2923 • Honolulu, HI 96802.Office: 250 Ward Ave., Suite 212 • Honolulu, HI 96814
Hawai'i Affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation
President: Julie Leialoha " Vice-President: Nelson Ho ' Secretary: Douglas Lamerson ' Treasurer: Kim Ramos
Directors: Maura O'Connor ' Melora Purell ' George Robertson ` Hannah Springer
Executive Director: Marjorie Ziegler ' Membership Director: Beth McDermott