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Home My WebLink About2015-7-13 Ltr. & Palila Census DATA DLNR to AGDAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES POST OFFICE BOX 621 HONOLULU, HAWAII 96809 July 13, 2015 Tom Lodge, Chairman Game Management Advisory Commission 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT KEKOA KALUHIWA FIRST DEPUTY W. ROY HARDY ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR - WATER AQUATIC RESOURCES BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATION BUREAU OF CONVEYANCES COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION AND COASTAL LANDS CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT ENGINEERING FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE HISTORIC PRESERVATION KAHOOLAWE ISLAND RESERVE COMMISSION LAND STATE PARKS Dear Mr. Lodge: In reply to your letter dated June, 2015 regarding the latest Palila census data. Please find our most recent report to the Deputy Attorney General Land/Transportation Division. Please let us know if we can provide any further information. Sincerely, Jim Co Wil fe ' • am Manager DL R Division of Forestry and Wildlife 1151 Punchbowl Street, Rm 325 Honolulu, HI 96809 cc: Chairperson Suzanne Case David Smith, Acting Administrator Scott Fretz, Maui District Manger May 1, 2015 MEMORANDUM: TO: HONORABLE MICHAEL LAU, Deputy Attorney General Land/Transportation Division FROM: Lisa Hadway, Administrator Division of Forestry and Wildlife SUBJECT: Report to Federal Court on Mauna Kea Sheep and Goat Eradication for the Period January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014. Attached is the subject report for submittal to the Federal Court. Attachment(s) State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Report to the Federal Court on Mauna Kea Sheep and Goat Eradication January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014. A. Introduction In 1979, the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (Court) issued an order for the complete and permanent removal of feral sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus hircus) from palila (Loxioides bailleui) critical habitat on Mauna Kea. The order directed the State of Hawaii to cease the unlawful take of palila caused by the indirect effect of feral sheep and goats damaging palila critical habitat. The State was also ordered to initiate habitat restoration actions in palila critical habitat and to support the recovery of the bird. This initial court order was followed by a similar order in 1987 for the complete and permanent removal of mouflon sheep (Ovis ammon) and mouflon/feral hybrids. This report summarizes sheep and goat control efforts in palila critical habitat for the period of January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014. B. Public Hunting During the report period, public hunting remained open daily with no bag limits in effect for sheep and goats, and there were no restrictions on the age or sex of animals harvested Public hunting will continue on a liberal schedule. C. Staff Shooting DOFAW staff conducted aerial shooting operations monthly from January to June in 2014. Six trips totaling 12 days were undertaken. A total of 519 sheep and 2 goats were removed from the mountain. D. Harvest by Hunters A total of 1248 hunter trips resulted in the harvest of 155 sheep and goats from the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and Kaohe Game Management Area during this report period. Harvest data was collected at hunter checking stations. Since the inception of the eradication program in 1987, staff hunts, public hunting and aerial shooting have removed 21,801 feral sheep and goats from the slopes of Mauna Kea (Table I). DOFAW continues to give hunters known locations of sheep and goat herds. E. Observations and Monitoring Feral ungulates, alien grasses and vines, alien predators, alien insects, an alien tree fungus, drought, and fire all pose serious threats to palila or the mamane habitat on which they depend. Drought conditions eased during the report period and high survival of outplanted trees was seen in restoration areas. Efforts to control fountain grass have begun in the core area of the palila and will be expanded out as feasible. We have continued trapping and removing feral cats and mongoose from the core population. We are currently developing fire control infrastructure (i.e., dip tanks) and mitigation methods (i.e., fire breaks) with funds ($230,000) provided by the USFWS along with state fire funds, which will be completed in early 2015. Controlling non-native wasps that prey on native caterpillars is possible; such efforts are ongoing in New Zealand, although there are no plans to initiate a control program in the near term. Determining the extent of, and methods to control Armillaria, a non-native tree fungus that may be contributing to mamane mortality, is needed. A biocontrol for controlling fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) and cape ivy (Delairea odorata) will also be introduced near the core to control these noxious weeds that threaten the mamane habitat of the palila. F. Fencing Maintenance and Related Activities During the report period, the ungulate proof fence construction project for the remaining two sections was put on hold while larger fence construction questions were settled with the Department of Labor. A total of A total of 1248 hunter trips resulted in the harvest of 155 sheep and goats from the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and Kaohe Game Management Area during this report period. Harvest data was collected at hunter checking stations. Since the inception of the eradication program in 1987, staff hunts, public hunting and aerial shooting have removed 21,801 feral sheep and goats from the slopes of Mauna Kea (Table I). DOFAW continues to give hunters known locations of sheep and goat herds. E. Observations and Monitoring Feral ungulates, alien grasses and vines, alien predators, alien insects, an alien tree fungus, drought, and fire all pose serious threats to palila or the mamane habitat on which they depend. Drought conditions eased during the report period and high survival of outplanted trees was seen in restoration areas. Efforts to control fountain grass have begun in the core area of the palila and will be expanded out as feasible. We have continued trapping and removing feral cats and mongoose from the core population. We are currently developing fire control infrastructure (i.e., dip tanks) and mitigation methods (i.e., fire breaks) with funds ($230,000) provided by the USFWS along with state fire funds, which will be completed in early 2015. Controlling non-native wasps that prey on native caterpillars is possible; such efforts are ongoing in New Zealand, although there are no plans to initiate a control program in the near term. Determining the extent of, and methods to control Armillaria, a non-native tree fungus that may be contributing to mamane mortality, is needed. A biocontrol for controlling fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) and cape ivy (Delairea odorata) will also be introduced near the core to control these noxious weeds that threaten the mamane habitat of the palila. F. Fencing Maintenance and Related Activities During the report period, the ungulate proof fence construction project for the remaining two sections was put on hold while larger fence construction questions were settled with the Department of Labor. A total of 24 miles of fence has been replaced so far. This project is based on a comprehensive management plan reviewed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). USFWS has provided DOFAW over $4 million for fence replacement to protect palila critical habitat. DOFAW conducts routine fence checks, and made several repairs to sections damaged due to flash floods, other environmental factors and deliberate vandalism, as well as repairing sections of the old fence in areas where replacement has not occurred. G. Palila Surveys - 2014 Palila Population Estimate Surveys were conducted over a two-week period in January 2014 within the core area of the palila. The 2014 palila population was estimated to be 2,070 birds with a confidence interval of 1,697 to 2,508 (Tables III and IV) . H. Palila Population Trend Analysis U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)/Biological Resources Discipline (BRD) analyzes palila population estimates for DLNR/DOFAW. Palila analysis is conducted by using the DISTANCE program. The population estimates provided in this report are based on the number of birds detected or counted during the survey and the probability of birds being detected. These revised - updated estimates have greater accuracy than estimates provided in prior years and based on less data. The population estimates reported in Table II and III were based on annual estimates, and not updated with revised detection probabilities. However, each subsequent annual estimate gives a more accurate estimate for previous years as more data makes statistical modeling more effective. We have thus incorporated this new analysis in updated tables (Tables IV) for the 1998 to 2014 time period. These estimates are based on the core area, which is currently the primary range and distribution of palila (Figure 1). Furthermore, these trend data are subject to change annually as more data is added to the statistical model. Palila surveys have been conducted on transects that bisect the core palila population and areas outside the core across critical habitat. On average, only 20 of the birds detected during a survey were located on transects outside the core area. In 1998, additional transects were added within the core area to increase the accuracy and precision of the population estimates. Beginning in 2008, surveys have concentrated on transects within the core, as most of the remaining population is in this area. In 2012, we began to count each transect twice to assist in decreasing the variability of the counts and provide a more accurate estimate. A full mountain survey is scheduled for every five years, with the most recent in 2012 and the next due in 2017. A small sample of transects on the edge of the traditional core area and in likely locations on other parts of the mountain were surveyed in 2014, but no palila were detected. average, only 2% of the birds detected during a survey were located on transects outside the core area. In 1998, additional transects were added within the core area to increase the accuracy and precision of the population estimates. Beginning in 2008, surveys have concentrated on transects within the core, as most of the remaining population is in this area. In 2012, we began to count each transect twice to assist in decreasing the variability of the counts and provide a more accurate estimate. A full mountain survey is scheduled for every five years, with the most recent in 2012 and the next due in 2017. A small sample of transects on the edge of the traditional core area and in likely locations on other parts of the mountain were surveyed in 2014, but no palila were detected. TOTAL Moo O d VI CI Cr, 00 349 N 291 376 228 O N 290 280 00 275 212 256 243 445 AERIAL/STAFF SHOOTING 00 152 147 174 124 143 139 244 PUBLIC HUNTING Combined Check Station Harvest 125 0 00 00 136 ON .Mi 00 CT,VD 229 L0i VD .~ inM 00 151 OVD .�. ,-r VD 10 201 Kilohana Check Station 000 VD ,. 85 24 M_, 224 O) 00 ' OS 80 80 M 77 O, ,�_, Puu Huluhlu Check Station no data no data no data O 47 no data no data no data 25 �, 71 36 40 O N PERIOD JULY 1987 -JUNE 1997 JULY 1997 — DEC 1997 JAN 1998 — JUNE 1998 JULY 1998 -DEC 1998 JAN 1999 -JUNE 1999 JULY 1999 -DEC 1999 JAN 2000 -JUNE 2000 JULY 2000 -DEC 2000 JAN 2001 -JUNE 2001 JULY 2001 — DEC 2001 JAN 2002 — JUNE 2002 JULY 2002 — DEC 2002 JAN 2003 — JUNE 2003 JULY 2003 — DEC 2003 JAN 2004 — JUNE 2004 JULY 2004 — DEC 2004 JAN 2005 — JUNE 2005 JULY 2005 — DEC 2005 JAN 2006 — JUNE 2006 JULY 2006 — DEC 2006 r1 - "71 'II "11 '17 v ^'777• c �VDVDVD'VD U4, coOWO N*0 • N N W 01 W W 0 0 N w 4). tN)N0000L 00 VD 10 10 '.0 10 10 10 • pW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 H ^z^ tml 1;1 t21 tml y 0 O 1�1 0-3 H • Iyl F r+ y 10 c y O z 5 tTi hn 0 0 0 0 TOTAL JAN 2014 - JUNE 2014 1 JUNE 2013 - DEC 2013 JAN 2013 - JUNE 2013 IJULY 2012 - DEC 2012 JAN 2012 - JUNE 2012 JULY 2011 - DEC 2011 JAN 2011 - JUNE 2011 JULY 2010 - DEC 2010 JAN 2010 - JUNE 2010 JULY 2009 - DEC 2009 JAN 2009 - JUNE 2009 JULY 2008 - DEC 2008 JAN 2008 - JUNE 2008 JULY 2007 - DEC 2007 JAN 2007 - JUNE 2007 80 A 288 Na 0� 281 277 325 N-� . .-L 275 Cin _N 41. CA . 01 0 O SL co', W w A 282 289 No LA �1 562 0 352 208 288 345 258 219 170 9307 LA LA 187 722 487 Cli 0 CJS A 887 211 627 373 502 ? VD W A W 000 W 0 8411 521 1238 813 LA) J 01 10 453 270 0 298 01 t 359 329 243 404 21801 01 1425 (WA 524 W 10 987 ... LII,—• NCr .—L+ VD N Cli 01 CO r01 C 00 00 01 W TSS W A 734 551 M ON ,C)00 00 .-. 649 925 211 n In - s ON ON N 524 M In ,_ 1425 s.0 9307 8411 I 21801 404 243 329 359 644 NO N 298 o 270 en ON - 37 en 00 1238 521 e0 M 308 M ON 502 en M 000 N vO ~ N 00 en f O- ten 000 722 187 — O 219 258 M N 208 M r kr) 257 289 282 M \ b 0 0 154 214 in 275 .-. N 325 277 00 N 0 N 288 124 80 JAN 2007 - JUNE 2007 JULY 2007 - DEC 2007 JAN 2008 - JUNE 2008 JULY 2008 - DEC 2008 JAN 2009 - JUNE 2009 JULY 2009 - DEC 2009 JAN 2010 - JUNE 2010 JULY 2010 - DEC 2010 JAN 2011 - JUNE 2011 JULY 2011 - DEC 2011 JAN 2012 - JUNE 2012 JULY 2012 - DEC 2012 JAN 2013 - JUNE 2013 JUNE 2013 - DEC 2013 JAN 2014 - JUNE 2014 TOTAL z 0 0 z 0 Oa kip z 0 F U Qw 0 z 0 E- "0" w 0 a Aa r, 1.0o0 a w1.0w as 0cn MN00 enen O1 0\ ON 0, 0, ON ON 1111111 0 ss$sSc VD C 0 VD � O •-• l— •-• [— M (.y 00M 00 to 1—� �--� N O1 00 �NNN- 00M 1"..- ON CrONN000�0� N d N - - Nce .. oo'n00 csiF- Ire 0 s0 N N M M N 0 0 M M M N N M 00 00 00 0000 00 00 00 ON a ON O1 O+ b��b N 0 on '00� b b b b O\ 0\ 00 CA • O\ '> '> > > '> N N N N N O O O 0 O Clo 0.4 C14 Clo CL o00 CD CN Ch CA O 0 0 0 0 e.zzzzz 0�0 VD r-�vpp O, 000 N 00 00 0o0 00 M CA un l �n CD 'M N M N • c%� O N 00 00 v1 0' N V v)V') et '.0 0\ N N M '.0 0 00 '.0 00 O, N O\ r • N et M et N CD un CA r - N O • CO et )i 00 N VD N CA en N N cA • cA oso cl 8888 7060 - 9320 1191 - 2543 O 0 0 0 0 0 In in )n N r- [- AD N [- O5?) o 0 o r, c9 c Net M— AD CA Cr, 5)un CD O e. 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