A Meeting of Stakeholders in the Management of Albizia (Falcataria moluccana) on the Island of Hawaii

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1 A Meeting of Stakeholders in the Management of Albizia (Falcataria moluccana) on the Island of Hawaii May 31, 2013 US Forest Service Institute for Pacific Islands Forestry Hilo, Hawaii Presented by the Office of Senator Russel Ruderman

2 Albizia Stakeholder Meeting US Forestry Bldg, Hilo - May 31, 2013 Albizia (Falcataria moluccana) MEETING GOALS : 1. Better understanding of cost effective, efficient approaches to controlling Albizia; 2. Identify community-level projects to demonstrate effectiveness of control approaches; 3. Identify potential policies to pursue, funding options, and other agencies, organizations, businesses, & landowners to be part of the effort.

3 Albizia Stakeholder Meeting US Forestry Bldg, Hilo - May 31, 2013 Pre-existing State Legislation affecting Albizia control ACT 76 Passed in 2009 HB1713 (HRS ) Authorizes Governor to designate state employees, when no emergency exists, to enter on private property to mitigate hazardous situations after giving the landowner and occupier notice and a reasonable opportunity to mitigate the hazardous situation without assistance of the State. May seek recovery and reimbursement of costs and expenses. It makes people responsible for their properties. s.aspx?billtype=hb&billnumber=1713&year=2009

4 Albizia Stakeholder Meeting US Forestry Bldg, Hilo - May 31, 2013 Senate Resolution SR Introduced by Senator Ruderman: This resolution directs the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to develop and implement a control program for Albizia throughout the State starting with Big Island and to find partners to utilize the removed trees. It also urges DOA to investigate biocontrol agents for Albizia control. type=sr&billnumber=41&year=2013

5 Albizia Stakeholder Meeting US Forestry Bldg, Hilo - May 31, 2013 Pending County Legislation Bill 64 Hawaii County Council Introduced in 2013 by Councilman Zendo Kern Expands Chapter 20, Article 2, Section to include unsafe flora. Measure establishes a process that would allow removal of hazardous trees that threaten human safety or private property. Property owners who do not take action will be required to pay costs of removal or have a lien placed on their property to recoup removal costs.

6 Albizia Stakeholder Meeting US Forestry Bldg, Hilo - May 31, 2013 DOT s Statewide Noxious Invasive Pest Program (SNIPP) Strategic Plan Includes Albizia DOT is in the process of mapping hazardous trees statewide. Objective P.1: Prevent intentional introduction and establishment of invasive species along State roads. Objective P.2: Minimize accidental introduction and establishment of invasive species along State hwys. Task P.2.1 Develop, update and maintain a HDOT Highways Division specific biosecurity plan that identifies pathways of introduction and mitigation measures appropriate to the perceived level of risk. Objective P.3: Work cooperatively with the public to prevent the spread of invasive species.

7 Ecological, economic, and societal threats posed by the invasive N 2 - fixing weed tree, Falcataria moluccana (albizia), in the Pacific Islands: What should and can be done? R. Flint Hughes, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, US Forest Service Springer Kaye, Big Island Invasive Species Committee James Leary, University of Hawaii CTAHR

8 Photo credits, Forest and Kim Starr Fastest-growing tree: An albizia planted in Malaysia on June 17, 1974 was found to have grown 35 ft. 3 in. in 13 months or just over an inch per day.

9 Albizia, Falcataria moluccana, was one of the most commonly planted trees in Forest Reserves of Hawaii during non-native tree planting campaigns of 20 th century. (ca.140,000 albizia planted across state).

10 Characteristics of Albizia (Falcataria moluccana) Fabaceae family member; has capacity for nitrogen-fixation among reasons it is among fastest growing trees in the world. Found in mesic to wet forests including disturbed areas and open lava flows up to 3000 ft asl. Produce abundant wind dispersed seeds by age of 4 that can travel great distances. Tall, broad canopy fertilizes and shades other plants. Seeds, seedlings, saplings are shade INTOLERANT (Achilles heel of species).

11 Threats of Albizia in Hawaii Large trees pose hazard to private/public infrastructure because of brittle wood and weak structure. Expensive to remove. Strong winds can cause large limbs to break, leading to costly damage and/or injury. Already, several near misses.

12 Albizia on Kauai a million dollar/mile nightmare following two near fatalities involving large branches dropping onto passing cars and adjacent houses, the Hawaii Dept of Transportation (HDOT) spent $1 million per mile to remove 1,500 albizia trees along Kuhio highway on Kaua i - the larger trees cost > $10,000 per individual. > 40% of HDOT damage claims involving falling trees and branches are due to albizia. Estimated that there are between 50 to 100 miles of state roads where albizia trees are maturing and reaching high densities. With no natural predators, albizia is a continuing maintenance cost that increases annually. Kuhio Highway 40 m tall albizia tunnel Information provided by: Dr. Chris Dacus Landscape Architect, Certified Arborist State Department of Transportation Cell: Finding a bio-control for albizia is a high priority for HDOT.

13 Albizia Vegetation Classification Map Pahoa, HI. The Puna district of Hawaii Island. Albizia shown in red. Miles Meters ,410 1,880 Map Credit: Julie Gaertner

14 Rainbow Falls, Wailuku River, Hilo, Hawaii. 16 yr net increase of 253% Albizia1993 Quickbird2006 AlbiziaWV ,050 m² of albizia in Aerial Photo Credit: US Fish & Wildlife 145,106 m² of albizia in 2009 Worldview-2 Satellite Imagery: UH Hilo SDAV Lab

15 Obstruction of View Planes View of Mauna Kea from Boiling Pots in the early 1980s. A single albizia circled in red. Same view in early 2012.

16 Milestone Herbicide Application: Low-volume Hack and Squirt Non Hazard Trees: $3.50 per tree

17 Community-led albizia control Piihonua Community (Hilo)

18 Putting it all together for Albizia control in Hawaii: Map locations of albizia in relation to infrastructure and sensitive areas Prioritize control efforts based on stakeholder interest and threat assessment. Implement location-specific, economically sound action plans: Apply appropriate methods for trees based on specific locales [e.g. hazard trees (cheap) and nonhazard trees (not cheap)]. Expand to island-wide, state-wide strategy Pursue biocontrol as a key long-term objective

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22 Hawai i Invasive Species Council The HISC is an interdepartmental agency established by Chapter 194, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the purpose of cabinet-level direction on invasive species prevention, control, research and outreach. Joshua Atwood DLNR Invasive Species Coordinator Joshua.P.Atwood@hawaii.gov

23 The HISC is comprised of six state departments that act as voting members:

24 FUNDED PARTNERS HISC STAFF HISC COUNCIL DLNR Protection & management of natural resources Cabinet-level direction on invasive species prevention, control, research and outreach DOA Document, prevent, & control agricultural pests. DOH Human health, disease vector management, environmental quality DBEDT State planning, economic impacts on tourism & other industries DOT Manages airports, harbors & highways UH Research and education related to invasive species DLNR Invasive Species Coordinator, HISC Program Administration Other HISC Staff: Communications, planning, and other duties required to carry out Council actions Recipients of HISC funds. The organizations listed here are examples only and do not constitute an exclusive or necessary list of fund recipients. Projects can be governmental or non-governmental partners. Departmental initiatives / projects administered by departments e.g.: DAR Aquatic Invasive Species, Hawai i Ant Lab Non-governmental partners e.g.: Island-based ISCs, Weed Risk Assessment INFORMATIONAL PARTNERS Active partners in information sharing, relationship typically not tied to funding HISC Participants: State legislators, DCCA, DOD, DHLL, USDOI, USDA, USDOD CGAPS Managementlevel coordination & initiatives NISC Federal invasive species direction

25 HISC Support Staff Structure Non-HISC IS Staff HISC Support Staff DLNR Invasive Species Coordinator (HISC & Non-HISC projects) Josh Atwood HISC Communications Coordinator Jackie Kozak Thiel HISC Planner Emily Montgomery (Starts 6/24/13) O ahu Weed Risk Assessor Vacant Invasive Small Mammal Planner New position, not yet filled

26 Total Funding HISC Niches: $4,500,000 $4,000,000 $3,500,000 $3,000,000 $2,500,000 $2,000,000 $1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 $0 FY05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 NARS Special Funds LLC Special Funds General Funds Cabinet-level Discussion Resolutions Legislation Disbursement of Funds The responsibilities of the HISC are determined by statute (HRS 194). The HISC must meet at least twice per year to discuss invasive species issues. The HISC provides recommendations to the Governor and the legislature in the form of resolutions and legislation. The HISC also receives funding to disburse to projects across the state. HISC Staff also engage in other projects not mandated by statute, such as the annual legislative info briefings on invasive species issues or the upcoming Hawai i Invasive Species Awareness Week.

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29 HISC and Albizia HISC has resolved to promulgate administrative rules regarding invasive species HISC has resolved to designate albizia as an invasive plant by an administrative rule process HISC staff can provide albizia planning coordination HISC solicit proposals for albizia control

30 Albizia across the Pacific