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REPORT OF THE <br />COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT <br />DATE: October 4, 2011 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Hilo, Hawaii <br />TIME: 1:00 p.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawai `i 96720 <br />Re: Comm. 386/Bill 112 <br />Your Committee on Environmental Management, to which was referred Bill 112, reports as <br />follows: <br />Bill 112, transmitted by Council Member Dominic Yagong, via Communication No. 386 dated <br />September 21, 2011, is an Ordinance amending Chapter 14, General Welfare, Hawaii County <br />Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), relating to restricting transporting of living Axis Deer <br />into the County of Hawai <br />The purpose of the Bill is to protect Hawaii Island's native forests, private property, and <br />agriculture industries from damages and adverse impacts that may be caused by Axis Deer. <br />Violators shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and be subject to a fine of up to $2,000 or <br />imprisonment for a period of up to one year, or both. Pana`ewa Rainforest Zoo is exempt. <br />Mr. Yagong took notice of a presentation to Council by Mr. Jan Schipper regarding this subject. <br />The county has not previously taken action such as this but is allowed to do so by the County <br />Charter. However, the Council is limited to imposing fines not greater than $2,000 and one year <br />in jail. While this is the maximum fine, this bill also sends the message that transportation of <br />live Axis Deer into this county is not acceptable. From testimony given this morning he would <br />like to consider an amendment to include the harboring of these animals to also be in violation. <br />It is in the DLNR realm of authority to impound boats and helicopters that assist in transportation <br />of these animals as was suggested. <br />Waimea is very concerned that this has the potential to destroy farming activities almost <br />overnight. As well as cattle that may come into jeopardy as they compete for vegetation. The <br />range of axis deer is mostly on private land and opens illegal opportunity for poaching and <br />destruction of property. There is a very short window to address this need early as this island <br />experienced the coqui frog and helconia issues that escalated quickly. Should this bill pass at <br />this time Mr. Yagong will be entering some amendments at its next reading. <br />Mr. Hoffman agrees with this bill but asked if the penalties are for a single action or per animal. <br />What if multiple or truck loads of axis deer are brought in, how is the penalty applied? He <br />suggested making this a penalty per animal. <br />Ms. Ford also agrees with this bill and asked that mule deer, white tail deer, moose, and elk be <br />added, as these are big animals and equally dangerous. <br />EMC Rept. No.: 4 <br />