Safe Harbor Program
The Safe Harbor Program is underlined in the Hawaii Revised Statute (HRS Section 195D-22), and is sponsored by the State of Hawai‘i Department of Land & Natural Resources - Department of Fish & Wildlife (DLNR-DOFAW). HACD is partnering with the O‘ahu Resource Conservation & Development Council (RC & D) to make this program more available to individuals and other agencies through public outreach efforts.
Why Safe Harbor Agreements?
Because they support natural resources management efforts by providing regulations to ensure that future property-use restrictions will not be imposed if those efforts attract threatened or endangered species to the property or increase existing populations. More information can be found at: http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/safeharbors/
Nēnē, the Hawaiian goose (Branta sandvicensis). Courtesy of www.hawaiipictures.com
Chevron Products Company, Hawaii Refinery at James Campbell Industrial Park, O‘ahu
Finalized in July 2005
In this Agreement, Chevron will be managing the nesting and foraging of endangered Hawaiian Stilt and Hawaiian Coot over 11 acres of the Cheveron Refinery at Campbell Industrial Park over 6 years. Chevron will manage the water level, maintain vegetation and regulate predator populations at the nesting and foraging sites at Rowland's Pond. Chevron has also agreed to conduct an education program for its employees about the Hawaiian stilt and Hawaiian coot at the refinery.
Reintroduction of the Nēnē to Pi‘iholo Ranch, Maui
Finalized in August 2004
Pi‘iholo Ranch will maintain 600 acres of nēnē habitat over 10 years by maintaining an open grass habitat; establishing and maintaining a nēnē release pen; controlling predator populations; and planting native plant species known to be nēnē food sources. DLNR will conduct the reintroduction of nēnē raised at the Maui Bird Conservation Center and Ranch staff will provide food and water and assist DLNR in monitoring the population on the Ranch.
Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement for the Nēnē on the Island of Moloka‘i
Finalized in April 2003
In the State's first "programmatic" Safe Harbor Agreement, landowners enroll through Cooperative Agreements with DOFAW, which commits them to make nēnē habitat on their land available for 10 years. In return, landowners are assured they will not be held responsible if nēnē are accidentally harmed or killed on their property for the duration of the permit, through 2053.
Ae‘o, the Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus). Courtesy of www.northamptonshirewildlife.co.uk
Koloa, the Hawaiian duck (Anas wyrilliana). Courtesy of www.cox.net
Habitat Management Plan for Koloa and Nēnē on Umikoa Ranch, Island of Hawai‘i
Finalized in December 2001
Umikoa Ranch will fence off 152 acres of wetland and upland habitat, control predator populations to improve nēnē and koloa breeding success, and maintain the foraging and wetland habitat already present on the Ranch.
Nēnē Introduction to Pu‘u ‘O Hoku Ranch, Moloka‘i
Finalized in September 2001
Under the State's first Safe Harbor Agreement, Pu‘u ‘O Hoku Ranch agreed to maintain or improve significant amounts of nēnē habitat over 7 years. The ranch will maintain an open grass habitat by continuing its cattle ranching operations; assist DLNR in establishing and maintaining release sites; and control predator populations around breeding and release sites.