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The pilot program also involved an education effort, to inform the people of Ha- 

 waii regarding the dangers presented by alien species introduction, and what items 

 are nonmailable. This, too, could be a useful component of the program to protect 

 Hawaii. 



Since passage of the 1992 act, the Postal Service has been involved in the coopera- 

 tive effort to implement this program. We believe that a program of the same type 

 and scope as that in place to protect the mainland is both possible and desirable. 

 It also seems likely that the key to the success of the program is to focus prevention 

 efforts on a list of items which meet certain legal and logistical criteria. First, the 

 items must be capable of being successfully "profiled." Under the current pilot pro- 

 gram, for example, there are criteria to determine the likelihood that a package con- 

 tains fruit. Items which meet the profile can be set aside for a dog to check. Second, 

 it must be feasible to train the dogs to alert to the items on the list. For example, 

 under the current program, the dogs can be trained to alert to fruit. These criteria 

 make it possible to comply with Fourth Amendment search requirements. 



Of the items which meet these two criteria, primary emphasis should be given to 

 those items that are potentially most hazardous ecologically, and most harmful eco- 

 nomically. The interdiction program also must follow the legal requirement not to 

 delay the mail or subject it to damage. 



In addition to the compilation of a targeted list of items, there are resource prob- 

 lems to be addressed. We understand that there are limited Federal personnel to 

 work on the program to protect Hawaii, and have heard it suggested that State per- 

 sonnel be deputized to assist with the program. We believe that this is a workable 

 idea, and would be willing to help ensure compliance with operational restrictions 

 and legal requirements. As an example, we understand that a memorandum of un- 

 derstanding has been developed to allow for cooperation between the State of Ha- 

 waii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

 Service. 



We look forward to working with other Federal and State agencies to make the 

 Hawaii program, as it involves the mail, as effective as possible, while complying 

 with legal restrictions and not inhibiting postal operations. 



PREPARED STATEMENT OF NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY 



The National Audubon Society is pleased to be able to submit this written state- 

 ment for the record of your hearing on the introduction of non-indigenous plant and 

 animal species. 



Exotic introductions are a challenge to our native flora and fauna and to species 

 diversity in preserved ecosystems. The National Audubon Society owns or manages 

 over 80 sanctuaries, several of which have been invaded by exotic species. In some 

 cases exotic species are consuming much of the time and resources of management 

 of the sanctuaries. 



The species of exotics invading Audubon sanctuaries, purple loosestrife, leafy 

 spurge, Kudzu, zebra mussel, Brazilian peppertree, and melaleuca, are currently es- 

 tablished in the U.S., spreading to new areas, and destroying the integrity of native 

 ecosystems and the organisms to which these ecosystems are home, food, and shel- 

 ter. These invaders are major concerns to specific bird sanctuary managers as they 

 are with a broader group of agriculturalists and farmers. Fortunately, with the ex- 

 ception of Kudzu, the exotic plants are being addressed by ongoing programs of bio- 

 logical control by the USDA making it possible for sanctuary managers to partici- 

 pate eventually in the implementation of^such programs. 



Biological control agents have been found, processed through Quarantine protocol, 

 and colonized for leafy spurge. These successful biological control agents need to be 

 effectively dispersed over the extensive range of leafy spurge to gain its control. 

 With purple loosestrife, three biological control agents have oeen tested, approved 

 for release, and now the releases are being made and evaluated in selected sites. 

 Likewise, biological control agents are being tested in quarantine for safe release 

 against Brazilian peppertree and melaleuca. Pest management strategies are being 

 developed for zebra mussel. It is not dear whether biological control will be a viable 

 option for control of zebra mussel. Kudzu is not targeted presently for biological con- 

 trol, but it is recognized as^ a serious pest that might be suitable for biological con- 

 trol. Perhaps in the future it will be addressed with a long-term solution. Before 

 such a project will be undertaken several issues have to be resolved. There has to 

 be further assessment of the pest versus the beneficial value of Kudzu. Also, a con- 

 cern that some related, native species might be jeopardized by importation of exotic 

 biological control agents for Kudzu will have to be resolved scientifically. 



77-812 0-94-5 



