WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced today that the Senate approved the Fiscal Year 1999 Omnibus Appropriations Bill which includes $2.1 million in the Interior Department's budget to continue and expand use of existing techniques to control brown tree snakes and prevent their introduction to Hawaii, while at the same time conducting additional research to develop and implement new and better control methods. The Fiscal Year 1999 Omnibus Appropriations Bill includes funding for the: Department of Transportation; Departments of Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary, and Related Agencies; Department of the Interior and Related Agencies; Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies; Department of Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government; Department of Agriculture; District of Columbia; and Foreign Operations.

"High densities of snakes occur in many urban areas on Guam where cargo is loaded for transport by air and sea to other Pacific islands. The brown tree snake has caused the extinction of 9 of 11 native bird species on Guam. It has also caused power outages, damaged agricultural interests by preying on poultry, killed many pets, and injured numerous children with its venomous bite. Dispersal has been documented by snakes discovered in Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and even in the continental United States. Current techniques offer no known method for ridding Guam of its well-established snake population. Hawaii is home to more than one-third of the United States' endangered birds and plants, for this reason, it is imperative to continue to control and eradicate this ecological threat," stated Senator Inouye.

In recognition of the major threat brown tree snakes pose to our ecology, economy and population, the Congress authorized a cooperative program to control brown tree snakes. Representatives from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, and the Interior, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Territory of Guam, and the State of Hawaii formed the Brown Tree Snake Control Committee to develop an integrated pest management approach to address the problem. The Control Committee approved the Brown Tree Snake Control Plan that outlines an integrated, 5-year program designed to continue and enhance efforts to deal with this dangerous pest.

In addition, Senator Inouye secured the recent release of $4.5 million in Fiscal Year 1998 funds for the National Park Service to acquire 1484 acres of land on the southeast part of the Island of Maui for addition to Haleakala National Park. The property, known as Kaapahu, is contiguous to the park and stretches from the 4000 foot elevation to sea level.

"The Kaapahu parcel is a wonderful addition to Haleakala National Park. The combined archaeologic, historic, biologic, and aquatic resources on this property are unrivaled in the State. For example, Alele stream on the property boasts a complete native fresh water community, including all five varieties of the native fish Oopu, the endemic shrimp Opae kuahiwi, and two native freshwater snails Hihiwai and Hapawai. The coastal portion of the property has excellent examples of heiau, terraced taro loi, Native Hawaiian house sites, and portions of the historic "King's Highway" trail. I am extremely pleased that these amazing resources will be protected by the National Park Service for locals and visitors alike to enjoy for generations to come," said Senator Inouye.

The Congress also approved $250,000 to improve the water system at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge to support the protection of endangered Hawaiian waterbirds on the Island of Kauai. Further, $250,000 was provided to the FWS for endangered species community conservation programs in Hawaii.

The Fiscal Year 1999 Omnibus Appropriations Bill will be transmitted to the White House.