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Harry Kim :*: �••:::,,��f i*a William A.Kucharski
Mayor _=_ Director
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Wilfred M.Okabe `, ,4 of io. ='
•Managing Director Deputy Director
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DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
345 Kekuanao'a Street,Suite 41 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720
(808)961-8083 •Fax(808)961-8086
http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/environ mental-management/
August 14, 2017 `,,,' p
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To: Eileen O'Hara,Chair c)–<
Committee on Environmental Management =l—
Hawai'iCounty Council
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Fm: William A. KuchJM I
Director
Re: Resolution No.250-17; August 15, 2017 at 9:45 a.m.
Authorizing the Director of Finance to Enter into a Right-of-Entry Agreement with
Cyanotech Corporation to Allow Access to the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant
For the Habitat Conservation of Hawaiian Stilts and Hawaiian Coots
1
Attached for distribution is a letter from biologist Scott Waddington of Ho'omaluo LLC,supporting
Resolution 250-17 and explaining Cyanotech Corporation's plan to do predator control as part of its
Habitat Plan. Thank you.
1
Comm. No.
3$2. 1
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Ref. To: C
Ref. Date : •
Submitted by: J. Scott Waddington Owner of Ho'omaluo LLC.
I am a Biologist that works with a number of State, Federal and private land owners/entities dealing mostly with
endangered water birds here in West Hawaii. I have worked with Cyanotech for more than 19 years and now currently
work with them as an independent contractor as part of their habitat conservation plan (HCP) and incidental take permit
(ITP) requirements. I have worked at Kealakehe waste water treatment plant for more than 16 years conducting water
bird surveys and trapping services when funding is available. I have been working as the Biologist on the current sludge
removal and aeration upgrade project.
As part of Cyanotech's agreement with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the state of Hawaii's Department of Fish
and Wildlife (DOFAW) in regards to their(ITP)for endangered Hawaiian Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni),
Cyanotech proposes the following off site mitigation.The best option is to work with the County of Hawaii and
conduct predator control at the Kealakehe waste water treatment plant here in Kona (four miles south of
Cyanotech). The treatment plant is a 12 acre facility that attracts approximately 75-80%of all water birds found in
West Hawaii. There are nesting endangered Hawaiian stilts and Hawaiian Coots (Fulica alai) as well as Least Terns
(Sternula antillarum) at the facility.
Mitigation at the treatment plant would be comprised of a three pronged approach to remove predators such as
Mongooses (Herpestes javanicus) and feral cats (Felis catus). It is proposed to place 10 Doc-250 lethal traps around
the interior fence line of the facility at an average spacing of 150 meters. The proposed locations of the traps as
illustrated below are at the intersections of the road ways within the facility.
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The traps will be mounted inside of plywood boxes built to the manufactures specifications. The traps being
mounted inside the boxes keeps any animal caught out of view and does not allow for the trap to be tampered with.
Over the past number of years, predator control efforts at the treatment plant (funded by DOFAW)the catch ratio
has been 31.4 mongooses to each cat. The cats that have been trapped appear to most likely be abandoned pets.
Most seemed well fed and relatively tame. The mongooses caught were taken to the Hawaii Humane Society and
euthanized. The cats caught were also taken to the Humane Society and were euthanized if they were deemed
unadoptable.
The second part of the predator control will be to deploy Hay-A-Heart live traps to catch any cats when and if they
are observed or signs of their presence is noted. The trapped cats as in the past will be taken to the Humane Society.
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The third part of this proposal is to obtain the proper permits(if needed)to allow for the removal of Cattle Egrets
(Bubulbus ibis). It is suspected that the egrets are equally responsible for the depredation of stilt and coot nests and
hatchlings along with terrestrial predators(mongooses and cats).The egrets are known to roost at the facility at
night and disperse at sunrise. The egret counts have exceeded 100 individuals. Removal efforts will utilize a pre-
charged pneumatic air gun manufactured by Benjamin, model Armada. The Benjamin Armada is a scoped 22 cal. air
rifle with a 10 shot magazine and can fire 30-40 shots per charge. The rifle is nearly silent because it is sub-sonic and
has an adjustable velocity. Because the Armada uses air, it has no restrictions on its use or carrying it. Egret removal
would begin before sunrise. Removal efforts will not be conducted if anyone is around either inside or outside the
fence line.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
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J. Scott Waddington
Ho'omaluo LLC.