HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR9-18-17_MO
C O U NT Y O F KAU A‘I
BERNARD P. CARVALHO JR.
Mayor
WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Managing Director
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: September 18, 2017
SARAH BLANE, CHIEF OF STAFF
Tel (808) 241-4914
Fax (808) 241-6877
Statement from Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. on reinstating
night football games
“For the past several years, we have been working diligently with our partners at the
federal, state, and county levels to responsibly reinstate night football games during the
endangered seabird fledgling season, which runs from September 15 through December 15
each year.
“It has always been our goal to establish an agreement with the federal government
which allows us to reinstate night football games in a manner that is safe, responsible, and
follows our legal obligations, as set forth by the Endangered Species Act.
“I am pleased to announce that I have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the County of Kauai to allow the county to use
stadium lights at night on the following dates of the 2017 football season: September 22;
September 30; October 7; and November 4.
“As noted in the MOU, the County continues to participate in the Kauai Seabird Habitat
Conservation Plan (KSHCP), currently in development by the State Department of Land and
Natural Resources (DLNR), which intends to provide a long-term agreement on the use of
stadium facilities beyond this football season. The current timeline of completion for that
application is the spring of 2018.
“I believe we were granted this opportunity by the federal government as our island –
including various stakeholders at the state, county, private business and community - have
always operated in good faith, from retrofitting our lights to pursuing training and educational
outreach campaigns to perpetuate the importance of protecting our endangered seabirds.
“My gratitude goes to the state Department of Education, the Kauai Interscholastic
Federation, our Kauai County Council, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife for working together
toward achieving this goal.
“We look forward to the Waimea Homecoming game this Friday night, September 22, at
the Hanapepe Stadium!”
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