HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2014-17COUNTY COUNCIL COUNTY OF KAUAI 334ctotution » RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE STATE OF HAWAII AND AFFECTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXPAND ERADICATION AND PREVENTION EFFORTS REGARDING LITTLE FIRE ANTS WHEREAS, there exists an established problem of Little Fire Ants (known as LFA) in Hawai`i; and WHEREAS, on Hawai`i Island, LFA have been detected in areas both Kona and Hilo; and WHEREAS, on Maui, LFA were detected in the fall of 2009. infestation was found early it was possible to eradicate it; and surrounding Because the WHEREAS, on Kaua`i, LFA were detected in 1998, and rediscovered in Kalihiwai Valley in 2003. This sole infestation on Kaua`i remains uncured at this time; and WHEREAS, LFA inflict a painful sting upon humans and animals, with possibility of causing anaphylactic shock, and possibility of causing blindness in animals; and WHEREAS, LFA form super -colonies, are difficult to control, and are known to infest homes, trees, and recreational areas; and WHEREAS, the invasion of LFA populations is not yet widespread in the State of Hawai`i; and WHEREAS, the Kaua`i County Council wishes to encourage efforts to eradicate, contain, or at minimum manage incipient populations of invasive Little Fire Ants currently found in Hawai`i, including populations on the island of Kaua`i in Kalihiwai Valley, and to prevent further spread and reemergence of these pervasive pests; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI, STATE OF HAWAII, that the County of Kaua`i requests that the State of Hawai`i continue and expand its prevention and eradication efforts aimed at completely and permanently removing all Little Fire Ants from all islands of the State of Hawai`i, by the enforcement of inter -island bio -security efforts, and other methods. In particular, adequate resources should be expended for controlling and reducing LFA populations on the Big Island, and preventing current and future movement of LFA between islands.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County of Kaua`i requests that any property owner, lessee, or person otherwise occupying a location on Kaua`i, who suspects the presence of Little Fire Ants at that location, immediately report the suspected presence to either the State of Hawai`i Department of Agriculture (HDOA), or the Kaua`i Invasive Species Committee (KISC). HDOA, KISC, or both, may then respond by confirming the suspected presence and, if applicable, engaging in immediate treatment. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if a Kaua`i property is confirmed as having Little Fire Ants present, to prevent further spread of LFA on Kaua`i, the person or persons exercising control of the property should, for the good of the community, cause all green waste to remain on the site of that property until the property has been deemed LFA -free by the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if a Kaua`i plant nursery or plant distribution center is confirmed as having Little Fire Ants present, to prevent further spread of LFA on Kaua`i, the person or persons exercising control of the plant nursery or plant distribution center should, for the good of the community, cause all products to remain on the site of that plant nursery or plant distribution center until the site has been deemed LFA -free by the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution be sent to all members of the State House of Representatives and State Senate, Governor Neil Abercrombie, Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., Hawai`i Invasive Species Council, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Kaua`i Invasive Species Committee, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Maui Invasive Species Committee, Moloka`i Invasive Species Committee, and O`ahu Invasive Species Committee. Introduced by: V:\RESOLUTIONS\2012-2014 TERM\Little Fire Ants\JF-JH_lc.doc evaif.aze, 01 UJe iere 141 tLt J\,,00 on Oto. 201447 Q.ao, cizoy .ea 6.61 a? e & n I, 4 J a u a i, $t 1 to J.a.a,i, Jl.an+a.1,i, an NEirch 27, 2014. dile DIAL{ f KC gt.a X aacic X g x 9c x 5CatjaQ4, X 911.5. X tea, X a 7 0 0 0 evaif.aze, 01 UJe iere 141 tLt J\,,00 on Oto. 201447 Q.ao, cizoy .ea 6.61 a? e & n I, 4 J a u a i, $t 1 to J.a.a,i, Jl.an+a.1,i, an NEirch 27, 2014.