HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport to Legislature fr DLNR - Wildlife Revolving Fund FY 2014REPORT TO THE TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE
REGULAR SESSION OF 2015
WILDLIFE REVOLVING FUND
FISCAL YEAR 2014
Prepared by
THE STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
In response to Section 183D-10.5, Hawai`i Revised Statutes
Honolulu, Hawai`i
October 2014
PURPOSE
The goal of the Wildlife Revolving Fund (WRF) is to provide funds to manage
and enhance public hunting opportunities in Hawai`i. Act 290, Session Laws of Hawai`i
1991, amended Section 183D-10.5, Hawai`i Revised Statutes (HRS) by adding a
requirement for an annual report to be prepared by the Department of Land and Natural
Resources (Department) on the status of the Wildlife Revolving Fund (WRF) and
transmitted to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to each regular session. The
report is to include:
1. The source and application of monies deposited into the fund, including a description
of the criteria and process used to determine funding priorities;
2. A description of programs and activities supported by the fund;
3. A summary of program highlights and accomplishments; and
4. A description of future program plans, including specific goals and objectives.
FUNDS
Section 183D-10.5 (b), HRS, provides that the following proceeds shall be
retained by or transmitted to the Department for deposit in the WRF: fees for hunting
licenses, game bird farmer and Commercial Hunting Preserve licenses and fees, hunting
guide licenses, hunter education training programs and use of public target ranges, fines
collected for hunting or wildlife law violations, bail forfeitures, sale of articles required
before hunting, and related works of art. For fiscal year 2014 (FY 14), the major source
of revenue was hunting license sales. Sources of revenues are detailed below:
Revenue continues to be low due to an appellate court ruling on December 31,
2007 which had the effect of suspending sales of the Wildlife Conservation Stamp, the
Game Bird Stamp, and all tags and application fees for special hunts. Revenue did not
meet the Department's authorized budget ceiling for the WRF of $572,088. New
expenditures totaled $236,093.43. The cash balance at the end of FY 14 amounted to
$9,522.53, with outstanding encumbrances of $23,265.15.
Status of S-343
Beginning cash Balance of Fund on July 1, 2014
Revenues during FY 2014
Expenditures during FY 2014
0.00
178,789.62
236,093.43
Cash Balance as of June 30, 2014
Unpaid encumbrances as of June 30, 2014
9,522.53
23,265.15
Unencumbered Cash for carryover as of 06/30/2014 -13,742.62
Summary of Revenues FY 2014
Hunting guide license
Game bird license
1
1,700.00
5,050.00
Hunting license
Investment pool
Fees for copies
Hunter Ed Fees
Conservation stamp
Donations
Supplies Reimbursement
Criminal fines
168,280.50
242.62
0.00
2019.00
1262.50
0.00
170.00
100.00
Total Revenue for FY 2014
178,824.62
Summary of Expenditures FY 2014
Personnel 124,120.79
Operations 111,972.64
236,093.43
Total Expenditures
Summary of Outstanding Claims FY 2014
Operations
Total Outstanding Claims
23,265.15
23,265.15
FUNDING PRIORITIES
The WRF has been an important portion of the overall budget to meet obligations
of state match and operating and salary expenses for game and wildlife projects. Because
the major sources of revenue for the WRF come from direct charges to hunters, priority is
given to expenditures which benefit this user group. Presently, the appellate court ruling
has halted the sale of stamps, game tags, and application fees until a formal hunting rules
change can reestablish these direct assessments to hunters by species, area, and season
chosen to hunt.
In budgeting for the WRF, a policy of allotting at least 85% of the budget for the
hunting program has been in place and followed. Up to 15% of the budget may be used
for nongame and wildlife sanctuary management, for projects that may have dual benefits
to game species and nongame species. Typical examples are the predator and weed
control efforts to benefit game birds in the Kapapala Cooperative Game Management
Area (CGMA) and the Kipuka `Ainahou Nene Sanctuary on the Big Island, which also
benefit neve.
Section 183D -10.5(e), HRS, also requires that the state first use WRF monies to
"maximize the state's participation to secure federal funds under the Pittman -Robertson
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act." Consequently, a priority was given to those
expenditures that provided the state match for Pittman -Robertson (PR) projects.
2
The allocation of operating funds to the Division of Forestry and Wildlife's
(DOFAW's) Branch Offices was done on a lump sum basis to be used on eligible
projects.
With the decline in hunting fee revenue, the funding available for salaries has
been reduced and all recruitment for WRF positions has been frozen. The operating
funds were allotted to the Branches based on the respective Branch wildlife program size
and complexity, and amount of revenue generated from license fees. Discussions among
wildlife staff has continued on the possible conversion of WRF-supported General
Laborers to Forestry & Wildlife Technicians, but became a moot point with substantial
loss of funds.
PROCESS USED
1. The Department's Fiscal Office and DOFAW coordinated to determine the
amount of the Fund available for allocation to DOFAW's Branch Offices.
2. At the beginning of each fiscal year, a portion of the WRF budget is allocated to
each DOFAW Branch Office, to Honolulu Administrative Staff for Statewide
projects and to the Hunter Education Program of the Department's Division of
Conservation and Resource Enforcement. A portion of the funds are allocated for
temporary personnel to maintain wildlife program functions, and to pay budgeted
add-on salary costs to assist with wildlife projects.
3. Each Branch Office collaborates in the development of the overall annual WRF
budget, to benefit the resources and resource users, all within the criteria of
compliance with the purpose of the WRF and the necessity to provide state -match
requirements for PR projects.
4. An emphasis was placed on using WRF for essential expenditures to provide
support for public hunting opportunities.
5. All expenditures are identified and coded as "WILDLIFE REVOLVING FUND:
S-13-343" to facilitate tracking and accountability.
6. Expenditures complied with approved categories of expenditures for WRF as
established by The Board of Land and Natural Resources on August 13, 1993 (see
Attachment 1, appended).
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FUTURE PLANS
Hunting Season Management
KAUA`I BRANCH
3
Objectives: Provide hunting information to the public and other Districts through
announcements and news releases. Manage public hunting seasons in compliance with
Chapter 13-122 Hawai`i Administrative Rules, regulating game bird hunting and Chapter
13-123 Hawai`i Administrative Rules regulating game mammal hunting.
Accomplishments: WRF monies were used to purchase fuel to operate trucks and other
equipment.
Game Operations and Maintenance (0 & M)
Objectives: Maintain and expand the capacity to manage water units, fences, hunter
checking stations, and other infrastructure necessary for hunting. Improve game
operations and maintenance through additional field staffing, adequate equipment and
supplies.
Accomplishments: WRF monies were used to purchase ring-necked pheasant chicks to
be raised and released in the Kekaha Game Management Area. $2,155.50
Motor Vehicle Repairs and Purchase
Objectives: To maintain the District's Wildlife Management Section motor vehicle fleet
in good running condition and expand transportation backup and capacity.
Accomplishments: See attachment II.
Commission on Hunting License Sales
Objective: To pay the Kaua`i hunting license vendors for their commission on the sale of
the 2013-14 Hawai`i Hunting Licenses.
Accomplishments: Hunting licenses were available and sold to Kauai license vendors.
TOTAL WRF Expenditure for Kauai District: See attachment II.
Future Program Plans
1. Restore revenue from the sale of hunting tags, stamps, and fees and fill vacant WRF
General Laborer position on Kau'ai Branch.
2. Provide for the administrative costs, such as printing and publishing of game tags,
permits, announcements of hunting seasons and additions of new hunting areas. -
$7,000 (100% WRF)
3. Incremental development of the proposed Hanahanapuni public shooting/archery
range $20,000 (50% WRF)
4. Continue the artificial game bird release project in the Kekaha and Wailua Game
Management Areas. Plan, design, and purchase building materials, equipment and
4
supplies for the complete construction of a game bird rearing facility - $15,000 (100%
WRF)
5. Purchase a four-wheel-drive vehicle to be added to the game program to support all
aspects of operations, management, and surveys. $15,000 (50% WRF)
6. Continue to maintain all wildlife vehicles and equipment used under the Kaua` i game
program. $20,000 (100% WRF)
7. Purchase of construction materials and supplies to maintain existing game
management facilities, including fences, gates, water units, feeding sites, restrooms,
storage buildings, and hunter checking stations. $20,000 (50% WRF)
8. Provide air logistical support to conducts surveys, operations and maintenance of the
Kaua`i game management program. $20,000 (50% WRF)
OAHU BRANCH
Game Management on O`ahu.
Objectives: To maintain and enhance wildlife habitat and facilities on O`ahu public
hunting areas (PHA's), GMA's, and wildlife sanctuaries; and to improve game bird and
game mammal hunting opportunities on O`ahu.
Accomplishments: Funding was used to provide gamebirds and manage habitat for
gamebird hunting on Oahu
• Facilitated the game bird release program, which provided 170 Ring -Necked
Pheasants and 50 Blue Mutant Pheasants.
• Spread 15001bs. of wild bird feed on in the Kuaoakala GMA during the game bird
hunting season to attract birds into the hunting area and provide supplemental
feed for released game birds.
• Purchased supplies for personnel to conduct game mammal/bird surveys. Field
equipment (binoculars, spotting scopes, packs, boots, etc)
Total WRF expenditures incurred for O`ahu: See attachment II.
Future Program Plans
1. Restore revenue from the sale of hunting tags, stamps, and fees and fill vacant WRF
General Laborer position on O`ahu Branch.
2. Fund a WRF Forestry and Wildlife Worker III and Wildlife Biologist position to
perform tasks targeted towards ongoing management of Oahu District wildlife
management areas - $100,000 (100% WRF).
3. Purchase game birds from farmers and day-old chicks from mainland hatcheries to
release into the GMA's - $4,000(100% WRF).
4. Purchase equipment and supplies needed for ongoing Operations & Maintainces in
O`ahu Wildlife Management Areas - $15,000 (100% WRF).
5. Maintain Kubota Tractor and Flail mower used to maintain game bird habitat
5
MAUI BRANCH
Lease of Cooperative Game Management Area -Lanai
Objective: Provide 30,000 acres of land on Lanai for sport hunting and wildlife
management.
Accomplishment: The entire annual lease rental for the Lanai Cooperative Game
Management Area was paid via WRF monies. This area provided hunters the
opportunity to pursue Axis Deer, Mouflon Sheep, and a variety of game birds.
Expenditures: $35,000.00
Game Mammal Aerial Survey:
Objective: Annual game mammal survey of the Lanai CGMA and private portions of
Lanai Island. Staff from Maui led survey effort.
Accomplishments: An aerial survey of the Lanai CGMA was conducted on September
12-13,2013.
Contract Services-Data/Lanai Hunts
Objective: With the shortage of clerical staff, coupled with high interest and participation
in the Lanai Axis deer and Mouflon sheep hunts on Lanai, it became necessary to
contract outside support to assure all lottery and non -lottery hunt applications were
processed in a timely manner.
Accomplishment: A total of 6,000 hunter applications were received for the two Lanai
hunts. All applicant data was entered and duplicate applications identified and deleted.
Due to the assistance of contract services, all applications for the Axis deer and Mouflon
sheep hunts were properly processed, lotteries conducted and results compiled and
disseminated in a timely manner.
Staff Expenses
Objective: General laborer position is needed on Lanai to assist the Lanai Forestry and
Wildlife Technician with the upkeep and maintenance of 30 miles of water unit pipeline
and 54 miles of access roads in the Cooperative Game Management Area.
Hunting activities and hunter check in on Lanai occurs after normal operating hours.
Overtime is paid to the Lanai technician and general laborer to accommodate hunters.
Accomplishment: Funding for the general laborer position is partially funded by the
Wildlife Revolving Fund. This position allowed facilities on Lanai to be properly
maintained, serviced and free of any major problems.
Overtime for both the Mouflon and Axis deer hunts were approved. Check in of hunters
was done in a timely fashion.
6
Management of the Lottery Hunts -Lanai
Objective: The processing and printing of documents for the Axis deer and Mouflon
sheep hunts on Lanai. Shipment of instruction sheets and applications for the two hunts
to the outer districts. Tags for both hunts were also purchased during this fiscal year.
Accomplishment: Application cards, instruction sheets, and addendums were printed and
distributed to all districts and lotteries conducted.
Game Mammal Facilities 0 & M -Lanai
Objective: Rental of dumpster(s) during the Axis deer and Mouflon sheep seasons for
hunters to dispose of carcasses. Materials required for the hunting program to function
needed to be purchased.
Accomplishment: Two (2) dumpsters were rented for each of the two (2) hunts. This
provided the hunting community with the facilities to dispose of animal carcasses.
Commissions on Hunting License Sales
Objective: The Wildlife Revolving Fund was used to pay commission to Vendors for the
sales of the 2013-2014 Hawaii hunting licenses.
Expenditure: See table on page 2.
Total WRF expenditures for Maui District were: See attachment II.
Future Program Plans
1. Fund Rental of Lease on Lanai - $35,000.00 (100%WRF)
2. Fund Lanai Check Station overtime for FWT V position -$6,000.00 (100% WRF)
3. Fund GL I position for Lanai for facility upkeep and maintenance -$60,000.00 (100%
WRF)
4. Fund game mammal facilities development and 0 & M on Lanai -$55,000.00 (100%
WRF)
5. Fund game mammal surveys on Lanai -$15,000.00 (100% WRF)
6. Establish Forestry and Wildlife Technician III position on Lanai - $40,000 (50%
WRF)
7. Fund purchase of Lanai vehicle -$50,000.00 (100% WRF)
8. Fund Management of Lottery Hunts on Lanai; document printing, data input and
drawings -$15,000.00 (100% WRF)
9. Fund signage for areas closed to hunt $1,000 (100% WRF)
10. Fund GL I position for Lanai Check Station work -$2,500.00 (100% WRF)
11. Develop on-line application system for Lanai hunts — $40,000.00 (100% WRF)
7
EAST HAWAII DISTRICT
General Laborer Position:
Objectives: Pursue duties pertaining to Hilo watershed wild cattle control, hunter
checking stations, and nene habitat renewal.
Accomplishments: Due to limited funding, general laborer position was kept vacant.
Wildlife 0 & M:
Objectives: To maintain the Kipuka `Ainahou Lease.
Accomplishments: The lease for Kipuka `Ainahou with the Department of Hawaiian
Homelands was maintained. Due to ongoing negotiations to extend the lease, no
payment was made to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands for Fiscal Year 2014.
Commissions on Hunting License Sales:
Objective: To pay commissions to vendors on the island of Hawai`i for sales of the
2013-2014 Hawai`i hunting licenses.
Accomplishment: Hunting licenses were available at vendors and commissions were
paid.
Motor Vehicle Repairs, Maintenance, and Equipment
Objective: To maintain trucks in service for WRF purposes.
Accomplishment: Vehicles remained functional with no debts to WRF for maintenance.
Future Program Plans
1. Remove gorse from Kipuka `Ainahou lease area
2. Continue to employ a part-time general laborer to help expand hunter checking
station coverage, remove gorse from the Kipuka `Ainahou lease.
WEST HAWAII DISTRICT
Game Operations and Maintenance
Objective: Maintain predator control, the maintenance of game related facilities such as
guzzlers, and increase road maintenance and habitat management capacity for the West
Hawai`i District. Maintained more than 60 miles of hunter access roads.
Accomplishment: All 0 & M activities were accomplished without use of WRF monies.
Game Program Coordination
Objective: The district staff assisted K -Mart, Sports Authority, Wal-Mart and other
vendors in Kona with hunting license sales and training (these being the only outlets for
the public to purchase hunting licenses in Kona other than the DOFAW office 40 miles
away in Kamuela).
8
Accomplishment: The district's secretary assisted with training of vendors in Kailua-
Kona store staff in hunting license sales. During anticipated increase in hunting license
sales traffic at these establishments, the secretary assisted with license sales and
dissemination of information pertinent with upcoming seasons.
Temporary Hire of Y2 -Time General Laborer
Objective: To assist the districts wildlife staff in the operations and maintenance of
projects and to provide predator control at various locations.
Accomplishment: A part-time General Labor I position was paid for out of this special
fund, and assisted in predator control, trapping of mongooses, feral cats, and feral dogs,
maintained water units and water supply facilities, assisted with invasive plant control.
The GL's also assisted with predator control at the Big Island Country Club and Puu
Waawaa Ranch for nene enhancement.
Motor Vehicle Repairs, Maintenance, and Equipment
Objective: To maintain trucks in service for WRF purposes.
Accomplishment: Vehicles remained functional with no debts to WRF for maintenance.
Future Program Plans
1. Restore equipment purchase, vehicle purchase and maintenance, and facilities
construction functions from the WRF, as funds accrue from the sale of hunting
licenses, stamps, tags and fees. $35,000 (100% WRF)
2. Provide for the administrative costs, such as printing and publishing of game tags,
permits, announcements of hunting seasons and additions of new hunting areas. -
$10,000 (100% WRF)
3. Once funding is available, improve game habitat projects in GMAs and appropriate
areas by installing water units, food plots and improving cover. $50,000 (100%WRF)
4. Continue part-time General Laborer I position.
5. Fund a full time Wildlife Biologist III position. $55,000 (100% WRF)
STATEWIDE ADMINISTRATIVE SEGMENT
Hunting License, Wildlife Conservation Stamp, and Game Bird Stamp Production,
Program Sales, and Management:
Objective: To produce and distribute required hunting licenses, duplicate licenses,
stamps, and vendor booklets. A portion of the production costs were paid with WRF
monies.
Accomplishment: Produced and distributed vendor booklets, hunting licenses, and
duplicate hunting licenses.
9
Notification of Hunting Season Openings and Changes:
Objective: Communicate any changes in repetitive hunting seasons and announce new or
special hunting opportunities as required by rules.
Accomplishment: Several legal notices announcing new animal control opportunities for
hunters were produced and a series of announcements and news releases were produced
for hunting seasons.
Future Program Plans
1. Produce and distribute required hunting licenses, duplicate licenses, stamps, and
vendor booklets.
2. Restore revenue from the sale of hunting tags, stamps, and fees to support the
statewide game program.
3. Publish notification of game bird hunting season announcement - $700 (100% WRF)
10
ATTACL
£VOLVING FUND EXP:
improvement and management of existing and new wildlife sanctuary
ding fences, moats, water control structures, pumps, ditches, nesting sites,
, boardwalks, viewing kiosks, watering devicses, parking lots, sanitary
fnGties and entry and interpretive signs.
3. Wildlife habitat improvements including genre bird and mammal watering units, food
plots, vegetation clearing and mowing; nonendangered species enclosures,
exclorures, noxious weed control, mowing and nest sites; and wildlife predator control,
water quality testing and rehabilitation.
4. Amore' hires for wildlife management and hum education including Wildlife
Management Assistants and General Laborers (for bunter checking station operation,
public hunting area management, pest plant matted, predator umbel, habitat
development, and posting Signs and markers) computer technicians (for public hunting
lotteries) and hunter education specialists.
5, Wildlife management .eouipment including tractors, bulldozers, all -terrain vehicles,
collecting arms, radios, outboard motors, small boats, binoculars, trucks and 4-wbed
drive vehicles.
Development ltd operation of public shooting ranges in conjunction with the Hunter
Education Program.
Roma. surveys grid inventoriel for game and Hoer-gamelendangercd species, including
rental of titers, infrated technology, temporary hires, equipment rental, materials
and supplies, and contracts for studies (game birds, forest birds, watezbirds, seabirds,
Hawaiian bat, owls, disease, genetics, food habits, ungulates, limiting factors, etc.).
public education cart wildlife management including development of the *Wilderness
Watch* program, providing maps and area informational leaflets, into pretive facilities
at seine management areas and wildlife sanctuaries, and technical assistance to the public
on wildlife management.
9. Rental of land for public hunting and wildlife management.
10. Liev entbrcement:
11
Attachment II. Wildlife Revolving Fund
Expenditures
Oahu Administration
Expenditures
Encumbrances
Total
Operating
$2,025.50
$812.52
$2,025.50
Personnel
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
R&M Equipment and Motor Vehicles
$228.54
$0.00
$228.54
Printing and Binding
$0.00
$4,635.57
$4,635.47
Services on a fee basis
$1,591.62
$408.38
$2,000.00
Redistributed Expenses
$16,080.18
$0.00
$16,080.18
Rental or Lease
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Total
Oahu
Operating
$19,925.84
Expenditures
$3,949.10
$5,856.47
Encumbrances
$535.90
Total
$24,969.69
$4,485.00
Personnel
$6,760.00
$0.00
6760.11
R&M Equipment and Motor Vehicles
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Printing and Binding
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Services on a fee basis
$ 745.00
$0.00
$745.00
Rental or Lease
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Operating Supplies for animals
$2,388.45
$0.00
$2,388.45
Total
West Hawaii
$13,842.55
Expenditures
$535.90
Encumbrances Total
$14,378.56
Operating
$108.00
$0.00
$108.00
Personnel
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Services on a fee basis
$1,046.00
$0.00
$1,046.00
Travel
$928.70
$0.00
$928.70
East Hawaii
Operating
Expenditures
$167.50
Encumbrances
$0.00
Total
$167.50
Personnel
$44,492.19
$0.00
$44,492.19
Travel
$30.00
$0.00
$30.00
Total
$44,689.69
$0.00
$44,689.69
Maui
Expenditures
Encumbrances
Total
Operating
$272.50
$1,047.70
$13,202.00
Personnel
$1,378.76
$0.00
$1,378.76
Operating Supplies Motor Vehicle
$7,340.58
$5,027.12
$12,367.70
Travel
$1,878.18
$0.00
$1,878.18
Rental
$200.00
$0.00
$200.00
Services on a fee basis
$3,667.98
$0.00
$3,667.98
Total
$14,738.00
$6,074.82
$32,694.62
12
Molokai
Expenditures
Encumbrances
Total
Operating Supplies Motor Vehicle
$3,898.70
$835.22
$4,751.92
Services on a fee basis
$179.50
$0.00
$179.50
Total
$4,078.20
$835.22
$4,931.42
Expenditures
Encumbrances
Total
Lanai
Personnel
55409.95
$0.00
$55,409.95
Operating
3639.62
$0.00
$3,639.62
Printing and Binding / Postage
5395.91
$0.00
$5,395.91
Travel
1218.4
$0.00
$1,218.40
Rental and Lease
51892.98
$2,214.91
$54,107.89
Services on a fee basis
0
$2,187.58
$2,187.58
Equipment and Machinery
3489.92
$0.00
$3,489.92
Motor Vehicle Operating Supplies
4659.17
$1,401.47
$6,060.64
Total
$125,705.95
$5,803.96
$131,509.91
may;
Kauai
Expenditures
Encumbrances
Total
Operating
$1,709.72
$0.00
$1,709.72
Motor Vehicle Operating Supplies
$3,841.22
$4,158.78
$8,000.00
R&M Equipment
$588.30
$0.00
$588.30
R&M Supplies Motor Vehicle
$1,954.18
$0.00
$1,954.18
Postage
19.64
$0.00
$19.64
Travel
$1,479.01
$0.00
$1,479.01
R&M Motor Vehicle
$1,020.72
$0.00
$1,020.72
Services on a fee basis
$418.00
$0.00
$418.00
Total
$11,030.79
$4,158.78
$15,189.57
rj � A ✓
TOTAL
$236,093.72
$23,265.15
$270,446.16
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