PUHI — The state Board of Land and Natural Resources heard the public’s input on a proposal to build a 4.5-mile fence to protect some 2,000 acres of the remote Alaka‘i Swamp, Wednesday, at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School. The evening
PUHI — The state Board of Land and Natural Resources heard the public’s input on a proposal to build a 4.5-mile fence to protect some 2,000 acres of the remote Alaka‘i Swamp, Wednesday, at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School.
The evening hearing began with a slide show presented by Trae Menard, Kaua‘i program manager for The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i. Menard carefully described the fencing project, explaining how it would help combat the imminent dangers that the native forest, bogs, streams, wildlife and watershed are facing.
The Alaka‘i, which encompasses some 12,000 acres near the geographic center of the island, is home to 202 species of native plants — 66 of which are found only on Kaua’i. Many are federally protected endangered species.
If approved, a fence line four feet tall would be constructed to enclose the Kanaele Bog in an effort to exclude feral pigs. There would be a wire mesh skirting along the bottom to prevent pigs from digging under the fence.
Menard made it clear that there would be step-over gates placed along the fence line to provide foot access for people wishing to enter the area.
The BLNR presentation included pictures of the area where pigs had torn out the roots of trees and ferns, killing off mosses and lichen that act as a natural sponge and thereby reducing watershed integrity.
Menard voiced his support for this project to move ahead as quickly as possible to protect the rare plants and a primary source of the island’s water at Wai‘ale‘ale.
There were at least 20 people who came forward to testify in favor of the proposed fence. Only two questioned or disagreed with the project.
Waimea High School teacher Billy De Costa said he was strongly against the project until he viewed the slideshow. Then he said he had a better understanding of the why and how of this project.
However, De Costa said he felt the project should be put on hold long enough to research any possible negative effects that have not been foreseen. He also felt the federal money could be better spent on other projects.
Jeff Chandler spoke out against the project, saying that once the fence was installed, what was to keep the BNLR from eventually making the area off limits to residents? He felt the project was simply a theory for a temporary solution and would not change anything.
He said nature was not at fault for the land being destroyed because it was man that brought the pigs and goats to the island.
Chandler insisted that this fencing method has been tried before on Moloka‘i and O‘ahu and has failed. He said residents should not rely on the state to solve all their problems.
He said he presently has two projects in the works that are based on old native land management techniques which are being used to restore the land.
If approved, the Alaka‘i project could be completed around late 2010. No estimated costs for the project were provided, but a DLNR official said Thursday that some of the state’s share of the cost will be offset by funding from The Nature Conservancy, whose Kaua‘i office will oversee the project.
The target area is the most remote, northeast corner of the central Kaua‘i upland plain — the fog-shrouded, mile-high source of four of Kaua‘i’s major rivers.
The Alaka‘i Swamp is a legally protected area that is seldom visited by hunters or hikers and has no maintained trail access system, according to The Nature Conservancy. But feral animals are moving into the region. Browsing and rooting by goats and pigs are promoting the entry of weeds into the otherwise pristine area, although there are few weeds there now.
