Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan - U.S. Fish and Wildlife ...

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
e. Is the use consistent with goals and objectives in an approved management plan or other
document?
The primary goals of the Refuge are to (a) support recovery and perpetuation of federally listed
endangered and threatened plants and animals and prevent the listing of additional species, (b) restore
and protect high-quality habitat for native plants and animals occurring on the slopes of Mauna Kea
and Mauna Loa, (c) control nonnative pests and predators including ungulates and noxious weeds,
(d) provide wildlife-dependent cultural, educational and recreational opportunities for the public, and
(e) in partnership with public and private organizations, increase awareness of and appreciation for
the Refuge and the Hawaiian ecosystem. The Refuge believes that appropriate, compatible research
activities will contribute to, and are essential to accomplishing, the enhancement, protection,
conservation, and management of native wildlife populations and their habitats on the Refuge.
f. Has an earlier documented analysis not denied the use or is this the first time the use has
been proposed?
This use has been requested and approved in the past and a documented analysis was conducted
during the Compatibility Determination process.
g. Is the use manageable within available budget and staff?
The Refuge permits an average of 10 SUPs for this activity (research) each year and this level is
currently manageable with available budget and staff.
h. Will this be manageable in the future within existing resources?
The proposed activity at current threshold levels for use would be manageable in the future with
existing staff resources (see above).
i. Does the use contribute to the public’s understanding and appreciation of the Refuge’s
natural or cultural resources, or is the use beneficial to the Refuge’s natural or cultural
resources?
The Service believes that wildlife and habitat conservation and management on the Refuge should be
based upon statistically viable scientific research combined with long-term monitoring. The
information gained through appropriate, compatible research on Refuge lands will be beneficial to
the Refuge’s natural resources through application of this information into adaptive management
strategies. The Refuge will also distribute any information gained to the public, which will allow
them to better understand and appreciate the Refuge resources and the need for protecting them.
j. Can the use be accommodated without impairing existing wildlife-dependent recreational
uses or reducing the potential to provide quality (see section 1.6D, 603 FW 1, for description),
compatible, wildlife-dependent recreation into the future?
The Refuge will ensure that the research activities will not impair existing or future wildlifedependent
recreational use of the Refuge during ongoing annual permit reviews, prior to issuing a
SUP for subsequent years.
Appendix B: Appropriate Uses and Compatibility Determinations B-13