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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
would provide for both primitive and unconfined recreation. Similar to unit A, planned management
actions for this unit would require human presence to conduct fencing inspections and repairs, a
variety of surveys for monitoring, and permitted research. As such solitude could be impacted if
these management actions were implemented. However, given the vast acreage of this unit, such
activity would likely go unnoticed. Therefore, this unit is considered to meet both the recreation and
the outstanding opportunities for solitude criteria.
Evaluation of Supplemental Values
Supplemental values are defined by the Wilderness Act as “ecological, geological, or other features
of scientific, educational, scenic, or historic value.” Unit A contains unique lava tube and lava tube
skylight formations. In addition, it contains rare forest bird and native plant species. Units B1 and B2
contain rare species of forest bird and native plants. The ecological values of these units enhance the
potential wilderness characteristics.
Inventory Findings
Inventory units A and B1 do not meet the minimum criteria for consideration as a WSA (Table D-1).
Unit B2 meets the minimum criteria for wilderness and will be considered as a WSA. The study is
expected to take some time to complete. If unresolved before such time, the HFU WSA Inventory
Unit B2 will be included in the wilderness study conducted for all of the Hawaiian and Pacific
Islands NWRs at the completion of the CCP process for all refuges. The WSA will be considered
with regard to this status as management actions are undertaken to improve the naturalness of the
area through control and/or removal of nonnative species and subsequent fencing projects. A
minimum requirements analysis will be used as part of the management planning for this area. As
explained above, the naturalness criteria are somewhat compromised at present due primarily to
nonnative species of plants and animals in the area. Expected management actions will improve these
qualities with regard to the habitat needs of native species and potential future wilderness
designation. Conversely, additional study may result in ultimately withdrawing the area from
consideration.
Table D-1. Wilderness Inventory Summary.
Inventory Unit
A: Kona Forest
NWR (5,300
acres)
(1) Has at least 5,000 acres of
roadless land or is of sufficient size
to make practicable its preservation
and use in an unconfined condition,
or is a roadless island.
(2) Generally appears to have been
affected primarily by the forces of
nature, with the imprint of man’s
work substantially unnoticeable.
(3a) Has outstanding opportunities
for solitude.
Inventory Unit
B1:
Hakalau Forest
Unit (9,000
acres)
Inventory Unit
B2:
Hakalau Forest
Unit (23,000
acres)
Yes Yes Yes
No No Yes
No No Yes
D-10 Appendix D. Wilderness Review