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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
10. All research and study projects undertaken by UH that involve the use of the Refuge must be
approved in advance by the Refuge manager. Applications for a SUP require a completed
research/management study proposal.
11. Permittee agrees to take such soil and resource conservation and protection measures
including weed control, on the land covered by this Agreement as the Refuge Manager may
request.
12. Permittee agrees to pay the United States the full value for damages to the lands or other
property of the United States caused by UH, its officers, employees, students, interns and
agents, and to hold the United States harmless against any liability not caused by negligence
or intentional acts of Service employees for damages to life, person, or property arising from
UH that it is legally empowered to do so under the laws of the State of Hawai‘i, including but
not limited to Chapters 661 and 662, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and subject legislative
appropriation.
13. Permittee agrees to provide the use of the Station’s catchment tank water supply to the
County of Hawai‘i, State of Hawai‘i, and Service firefighters for emergencies involving
wildland and structural fire suppression efforts.
The MOA between the Service and UH requires Refuge Manager approval of individual research
projects based out of the field station. Residential use of the field station is limited to scientists,
professors, students, volunteers, and UH officials conducting activities determined by the Refuge
Manager to benefit the Refuge. The Refuge Manager will ensure all operations of the field station
remain compatible with the purpose for which the Refuge was established.
Permits will be issued for all research activities conducted from the field station and will list the
conditions the Refuge manager determines necessary to ensure compatibility. The MOA between the
Refuge and UH for operation of the field station may be terminated at any time for noncompliance
with MOA conditions. The MOA may be modified, redesigned, or terminated upon determination by
the Refuge Manager that field station activities exceed MOA parameters or are causing unanticipated
adverse impacts to wildlife, wildlife habitat, approved priority public uses, noncompliance with
Special Use Permit conditions, or other Refuge management activities.
Special conditions to protect fragile Refuge habitats will be incorporated. These include taking
precautions to prevent the introduction of nonnative plants and insects to the Refuge. Vehicles, boots,
clothing, and equipment must be cleaned and inspected for seeds, eggs, and larvae prior to entry to
the Refuge. Cutting or clearing vegetation is not permitted. Other conditions prohibit fires and
require the removal of all trash.
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 lands provide the 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.
B-78 Appendix B: Appropriate Uses and Compatibility Determinations