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

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
housing and energy development, contamination, and other potential concerns that may adversely
affect Refuge wildlife resources and habitats. Working with the Ecological Services program of the
Service, the Refuge will cultivate working relationships with pertinent local, County, State, and
Federal agencies to stay abreast of current and potential developments and will utilize outreach,
education and information as needed to raise awareness of Refuge resources and dependence on the
local environment.
State Coordination: The Refuge will continue to maintain regular discussions with the State of
Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry of Wildlife
(DOFAW). Key topics for discussion with DOFAW will be wildlife monitoring, forest bird
monitoring and management, threatened and endangered species management, wildlife mortality and
disease monitoring, predator management, and response to climate change. Public use opportunities,
as well as protection of Refuge wildlife and habitat, will be the primary topics of discussion with
DLNR and its other divisions.
Volunteer Opportunities and Partnerships: Volunteer opportunities and partnerships are key
components of the successful management of public lands and vital to implementation of Refuge
programs, plans, and projects, especially in times of declining budgets.
Requests for Public Uses on Refuge Lands: Nonwildlife-dependent recreational activities will be
subject to the criteria of Appropriate Refuge Use Policy, and if found appropriate, will be analyzed
through a Compatibility Determination (CD). Existing public uses (wildlife observation, wildlife
photography, environmental education and interpretation, hunting, and fishing) were evaluated
through CDs, as appropriate. Through the CCP development process, public hunting was determined
as an incompatible use; therefore, public hunting is closed on both units. Appropriate use findings for
nonwildlife-dependent public uses were made based on policy guidance in the Service’s Appropriate
Refuge Uses Policy; 603 FW 1, and were documented on the Service’s Form 3-2319 (finding of
appropriateness of a refuge use) in Appendix B. Compatibility determinations are also included in
Appendix B.
Refuge Revenue Sharing Payment: Annual payments to the County of Hawai‘i under the Refuge
Revenue Sharing Program will continue according to the established formula, subject to payments
authorized by Congress.
Regulatory Compliance: All activities requiring review, permits, and clearances (e.g., Section 106
of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act) will undergo
appropriate review and obtain necessary permits and/or clearances as needed.
Chapter 2. Refuge Management Direction 2-4