Bill > HCR17

This Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Hawaii's state agency responsible for managing public lands and natural resources, to establish a task force to create a plan for managing feral ungulates, which are non-native hoofed animals like goats and pigs, in West Hawaii. The resolution highlights the significant problems caused by these animals, including environmental damage, spread of diseases like rapid ohia death, harm to agriculture and infrastructure, and road hazards, noting that current management methods are insufficient. The task force will be composed of representatives from various government bodies, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and invasive species and game management groups, and will include members with specific expertise in wildlife population estimation, ungulate management, road hazard mitigation, and biodiversity preservation. This task force is expected to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, including wildlife managers, hunters, and landowners, and will be dissolved after submitting a report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2024.