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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
specific and/or wilderness management, where applicable, would be given a higher priority over
other requests. Research applicants must submit a detailed proposal that would outline:
1) Objectives of the study;
2) Justification for the study;
3) Detailed methodology and schedule;
4) Potential impacts on Refuge wildlife or habitat, including disturbance (short and long term),
injury and/or mortality. This includes a description of measures the researcher will take to
reduce disturbance or impacts;
5) Personnel required;
6) Costs to the Refuge, if any, including staff time and equipment;
7) Expected outcomes or results; and
8) A time line for submitting progress reports and final products (e.g., reports, theses,
dissertations, publications).
Research proposed to be conducted on the Refuge would be reviewed by Refuge staff and others as
appropriate, to weigh the anticipated impacts versus the benefits of the research activity to refuge
management and understanding of natural systems. This would form the basis for allowing the
project to proceed or be denied. If the proposal is approved, the Refuge Manager would issue a
SUP(s) that would set the terms and conditions of the study to avoid and/or minimize the impacts on
Refuge resources, public use activities, and Refuge field operations. All research projects would be
assessed during implementation to ensure that impacts remain within acceptable levels.
Research would not be allowed on Refuge lands if one or more of the following criteria apply to a
project proposal:
� Research that conflicts with other ongoing research, monitoring, or management programs will
not be granted;
� Highly intrusive or manipulative research is generally not permitted in order to protect native
birds and other wildlife populations and wilderness values;
� Research projects that can be accomplished off the Refuge are less likely to be approved;
� Research that causes undue disturbance or is more than minimally intrusive is not likely to be
granted;
� The level and type of disturbance will be carefully evaluated when considering a request.
Strategies to minimize disturbance through study design, including location, timing, scope,
number of permittees, study methods, number of study sites, etc., will be required;
� If staffing or logistics make it impossible for Refuge staff to monitor the researcher, the permit is
likely to be denied; and
� If the activity is in a sensitive area, the research request may be denied, depending on the specific
circumstances.
Hakalau Forest NWR may also consider research for purposes not directly associated to Refugespecific
objectives; such research could potentially contribute to the broader enhancement,
protection, use, preservation, and management of wildlife and plant populations and their natural
diversity within the Hawaiian Islands. These proposals must comply with the Service’s compatibility
policy.
Appendix B: Appropriate Uses and Compatibility Determinations B-53