New Conservation Agreement Will Help Restore Unique Hawaii Habitat

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:        
Sharyn Stein, 202-572-3396, sstein@edf.org

(Washington, D.C. – January 28, 2009) A new conservation program in Hawaii will provide an unprecedented opportunity to restore native forests and other lands, protect wildlife and coral reefs, and improve water quality, according to Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).
 
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the state of Hawaii just announced a new Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreement that will help landowners preserve and restore up to 15,000 acres of fragile land. The agreement will cover six islands; Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai, and Oahu.
 
“We’re thrilled to see USDA and Hawaii launch the Hawaii CREP,” said Terry Noto, a consultant for EDF. “Hawaii is home to species of plants and animals that aren’t found anywhere else in the world, but many of them are disappearing because of invasive species or the loss of natural habitat. This agreement will help Hawaii’s landowners get the resources they need to restore habitat and protect Hawaii’s natural treasures.”
 
EDF has worked on CREP programs around the country, including working with partners in Hawaii from the beginning of the CREP proposal process to final approval of the program.
 
CREP provides federal and state funds to private landowners who agree to restore marginal farm or pasturelands to wetlands, streamside buffers or wildlife habitat. The Hawaii CREP will enroll up to 15,000 acres of land and will provide an estimated $67 million in funding for restoration efforts. The conservation work will help reduce runoff from damaged land into nearby water, which will protect Hawaii’s famous coral reefs and the safety of its drinking water. It will also help preserve some of the most unique wildlife habitat on earth.
 
“Hawaii is the endangered species capital of America,” said Noto. “There are 379 species that are currently on the federal ‘endangered’ or ‘threatened’ lists, more than any other state, and many of those species live on private land. The nene, for instance, relies on wetlands and pastureland on private ranches. This funding will ensure that landowners who want to help the nene and other rare wildlife will be able to do so.”
 
The signup date for the program will be announced soon. More details are available at www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/crep or http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/printapp?fileName=nr_20090122_rel_1403.html&newsType=newsrel.
 

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