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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
(e.g., bioprospecting), in accordance with 16 U.S.C. 715s, must contribute to the achievement of the
national wildlife refuge purposes or the Refuge System mission to be compatible (50 C.F.R. 29.1).
Impacts would be project- and site-specific, where they will vary depending upon nature and scope
of the field work. Data collection techniques will generally have negligible animal mortality or
disturbance, habitat destruction, no introduction of contaminants, and no introduction of
nonindigenous species. In contrast, projects involving the collection of biotic samples (plants or
animals) or requiring intensive ground-based data or sample collection will have short-term impacts.
To reduce impacts, the minimum number of samples (e.g., water, soils, vegetative litter, plants,
macroinvertebrates, vertebrates) will be collected for identification and/or experimentation and
statistical analysis. Where possible, researchers would coordinate and share collections to reduce
sampling needed for multiple projects.
Although a single research project for a single year may cause few, if any, negative resource impacts,
it may in fact cause cumulative impacts over multiple years or when considered additively with all
activity on the Refuge. Therefore, it is critical that the Refuge Wildlife Biologist and Refuge
Manager examine all projects with a multi-year timeframe in mind and consider all activities that are
planned concurrently on the Refuge before approval is granted. It may be appropriate to set a limit to
the number of research projects occurring in a particular habitat or relative to a single species or
species group, even if personnel are available to coordinate the projects.
Disturbance to wildlife and vegetation by researchers could occur through observation, a variety of
wildlife capture techniques, banding, and accessing the area by foot or vehicle. It is possible that
direct or indirect mortality could result as a byproduct of research activities. Mist-netting or other
wildlife capture techniques, for example, can cause mortality directly through the capture method or
in trap predation, and indirectly through capture injury or stress caused to the organism. Some level
of disturbance is expected with all research activities, since most researchers will be entering areas
that are normally closed to the public and, depending on specific research activities, may also be
collecting samples or handling wildlife. However, minimal impact to Refuge wildlife and habitats
will be expected with research studies because SUPs will include conditions to ensure that impacts to
wildlife and habitats are kept to a minimum (see discussion above).
Direct damage or alteration to the habitat from researchers would be minor due to the research
proposal evaluation process and stipulations imposed through the SUP. However, some increase in
invasive plants is possible from ground disturbance and/or transportation of source seed on research
equipment and personnel, and rodents and disease organisms could potentially be transferred from
boats and trapping equipment. Likewise, localized and temporary effects could result from direct
impacts of vegetation trampling, collecting soil and plant samples, or trapping and handling wildlife.
Other potential, but localized and temporary, effects would include wildlife disturbance, which is
expected with some research activities. Researcher disturbance could result in altering wildlife
behavior. However, only research with reasonably certain short-term effects from disturbance would
be permitted. Only the minimum of samples (e.g., water, soils, vegetative litter, plants,
macroinvertebrates, tissue etc.) required for identification and/or experimentation and statistical
analysis would be permitted.
State and Federal collecting permits will also ensure minimal impacts to fish, wildlife, plants, and
their habitats. A Section 7 consultation under the ESA will be required for activities that may affect a
federally listed species and/or critical habitat.
Appendix B: Appropriate Uses and Compatibility Determinations B-55