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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
list, and circulation of Planning Update 3. Comments were received related to research activities on
the refuge and addressed in Appendix K.
Determination:
___ Use is Not Compatible
X Use is Compatible with Following Stipulations
Stipulations Necessary to Ensure Compatibility:
The SUP will be issued for all research conducted by non-Service personnel. The SUP will list the
conditions that the Refuge Manager determines to be necessary to ensure compatibility. The SUPs
will also identify a schedule for progress reports and the submittal of a final report or scientific paper.
Regional Refuge biologists, U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Discipline staff scientists,
other Service programs, State agencies, or nongovernmental organizations and biologists may be
asked to provide additional review and comment on any research proposal at the discretion of the
Refuge Wildlife Biologist and/or Refuge Manager.
All researchers are required to obtain appropriate State and Federal permits.
If the proposed research methods would impact or potentially impact Refuge resources (habitat or
wildlife), it must be demonstrated that the research is essential (i.e., critical to the survival of a
species; Refuge provides only or critical habitat for a species; contributes significantly to
understanding of impacts from climate change; or assessment and/or restoration after cataclysmic
events), and the researcher must identify the issues in advance of the impact. Highly intrusive or
manipulative research is generally not permitted in order to protect native bird populations.
All SUPs will have a definite termination date. Renewals will be subject to Refuge Manager review
and approval based on timely submission of and content in progress reports, compliance with SUP
stipulations, and required permits. Other stipulations and provisions would include the following:
� Potential researchers must submit a written, detailed research proposal to the Refuge Manager at
least 6 months prior to start of field work. The required proposal format would be provided to
researchers (see Attachment 1);
� Researchers are responsible for acquiring and/or renewing any necessary State and Federal
permits prior to beginning or continuing their project;
� A Section 7 consultation under the ESA would be required for research activities that may affect
a federally threatened, endangered, or proposed species;
� Research that does not involve birds generally will only be allowed outside of the breeding
season of avian species, unless it can be demonstrated that there likely will be no impact to those
breeding species. If a research project can only be conducted during the breeding season, such
studies will only be permitted where there are specific protocols to minimize disturbance;
� Research will adhere to scientifically defensible protocols for data collection, where available
and feasible;
� Approved research projects will be conducted under a Refuge-issued SUP that will have
additional project-specific stipulations;
Appendix B: Appropriate Uses and Compatibility Determinations B-57