WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced today that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $2.6 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. This funding is a $1 million increase over last year's allocation, and is in addition to another $1 million that Senator Inouye obtains each year in the Defense Department's budget for brown tree snake control.

"I wish to thank the Committee for its continued support for brown tree snake control. 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 $4.6 million 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.

In addition, $2.5 million was provided for the acquisition of Palmyra Atoll. The atoll lies approximately 960 miles south of Honolulu and provides nesting habitat for hundreds of thousands of seabirds as well as threatened green sea turtles. Palmyra Atoll is at the top of the Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) land acquisition priority list. The total acquisition cost is expected to be in the range of $15-$20 million. However, the FWS and The Nature Conservancy are working to establish a public-private partnership to contribute toward the total purchase price.

The Committee 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, $500,000 was provided to the FWS for endangered species recovery efforts in cooperation with private landowners in Hawaii.

These provisions are included in the Fiscal Year 1999 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which will now go to the full Senate for consideration. It will then face a joint House-Senate Conference and final House and Senate votes before its transmittal to the White House.