Comment Sought for DLNR DEA Napu’u Conservation Project

Pu’u Wa’awa’a. File image by James Grenz.

Public Comment is being sought on a Draft Environmental Assessment with a proposed Habitat Conservation Plan and Incidental Take License for game management at Pu’u Wa’awa’a Forest Reserve and Pu’u Anahulu Game Management Area.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife has worked to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan for land management, with the main focus being the maintenance of non-native game mammal populations for hunting. The Napu’u Conservation Project also aims to conserve native habitats in the Pu’u Wa’awa’a Forest Reserve and the Pu’u Anahulu Game Management Area in North Kona.

Under the development of the Habitat Conservation Plan, incidental take of 15 threatened and endangered plants and one endangered insect would be provided.

The DEA identifies proposed and alternative actions of the HCP, describes the existing physical, biological, and socioeconomic environments, and analyzes potential environmental impacts to the existing environment resulting from the proposed action.

Public comment on the DEA should be submitted before Feb. 23 by e-mailing [email protected], or by mail to Garcia and Associates, 146 Hekili Street Suit 106, Honolulu, HI 96813, Attention: Huang-Chi Kuo.