HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 222 Draft 01 1994-1996COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION N0. 222 95
RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT THE
COORDINATING GROUP ON ALIEN PEST SPECIES.
WHEREAS, the Hawaiian islands are among the most environmentally
sensitive areas in the world, containing extremely unique and
fragile ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, these 150 recognized ecosystems are home to more than
one-third of the 526 plant species and SS bird species on the United
States endangered and threatened species list; and
WHEREAS, conservationists call Hawaii the "Endangered Species
Capital of the World," as three-fourths of the nation's extinct
plant and bird species once lived only on our islands; and
WHEREAS, alien pest species are noted to be the single greatest
threat to the survival of our native Hawaiian plant and bird
species; and
WHEREAS, the island of Guam is now devoid of any and all avian
life due to the devastation of a well-known alien pest, the brown
tree snake; and
WHEREAS, the economic impact of alien pest species in the State
of Hawaii exceeds $400 million annually, while we spend only $25
million on prevention; and
WHEREAS, 19 new insect species found their way into the
environment in 1994, even though the State Department of Agriculture
inspected 13 million agricultural parcels entering the State and
intercepted 131 alien insects and 183 illegal animals; and
WHEREAS, on average, 20 new insect species arrive in Hawaii each
year, of which five become pests; and
WHEREAS, federal quarantine law gives the United States
Department of Agriculture the legal authority to inspect baggage and
passengers bound for the mainland from Hawaii in order to protect
the mainland's environment, but does not grant the same authority to
inspect baggage and passengers bound for Hawaii from the mainland to
protect our environment; and
WHEREAS, Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano established the
"Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species" (CLAPS), comprised of
State and Federal officials as well as representatives from
conservation, agricultural, cultural, botanical, tourism and
transportation organizations, which was funded by the State
Legislature through the Governor's Agriculture Coordinating
Committee; and
WHEREAS, CGAP° icuses attention not on' on preventing new
alien pest spec. from entering our e, but also on
controlling pests w„~ch are already establishE_ , and
WHEREAS budget concerns on the state and federal levels will
have a seri ous impact on t he agencies which contribute to these
prevention a nd control effor ts; and
WHEREAS, the costs of these efforts pale in comparison to the
price we would pay if our environment, and therefore industries
such as tourism and agriculture which depend on environmental
quality, are not preserved and protected; and
WHEREAS, CGAPS intends to make formal proposals to the State
Legislature during the 1996 and subsequent sessions, requesting
financial and political support for its efforts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF
HAWAII, that the issue of the proliferation of non-native species
in Hawaii be included in the 1996 Hawaii County Legislative
Package presented to the Hawaii State Legislature; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it urges the Hawaii State
Legislature to provide financial and political support to the
efforts of the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be
transmitted to the County's delegation to the State Legislature;
the President of the State Senate; the Speaker of the State House;
Ms. Letitia Uyehara, Chair, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest
Species; and Mr. Alan Holt, Director of Science and
Stewardship, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii.
Dated at Hilo, Hawaii this 15th day of Decenber 1995.
IN ODUCED B
o,
COUNCILMEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
COU
Coi
I hereby certify that the fo
vote indicated to the right
the County of Hawaii on
ATTEST:
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COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER
Reference C-812/Committee of the Whole-
RESOLUTION NO. ZFr~.+ 9S