DOI awards $4.09M to help combat brown tree snakes

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs has announced $4,095,922 million in Brown Tree Snake Control program fiscal year 2021 funding as administered through the Technical Assistance Program. An additional amount of $1,791,421 from Coral Reef and Natural Resources fiscal year 2021 funds was also announced earlier this year for the purpose of controlling and mitigating other invasive species in the insular areas besides the brown tree snake.

“Islands are particularly vulnerable to invasive species that disrupt natural, long-standing biological processes and threaten our unique, island eco-systems,” said deputy assistant secretary Keone Nakoa. “Each year, OIA provides significant funds to critical efforts seeking to help restore balance.”

The Brown Tree Snake Control program FY 2021 funding was divided among several governments and federal partners to include Guam, the CNMI, Hawaii, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Department of the Interior as follows:

– Guam’s Department of Agriculture for interdiction and control – $100,000

– Guam Power Authority for BTS Data Collection – $70,389

– CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources for interdiction and control – $407,950

– Hawaii Department of Agriculture for interdiction and control – $288,706

– USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services includes interdiction and control on Guam and Cocos Island – $1,205,590

– USDA National Wildlife Research Center for research – $649,842

– U.S. Geological Survey for research – $1,055,522

– U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for program coordination – $317,923

As announced previously, $1,541,421 in fiscal year 2021 funds was provided under the Coral Reef and Natural Resources to counter invasive species in the insular areas.

– University of Guam for Invasive Species Detector Dog pilot program to include detection of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle – $866,423

– Micronesia Conservation Trust, a regional non-governmental organization, for the eradication, control, and management of invasive species in Kosrae, Chuuk, and Yap – $300,000

– Island Conservation, a non-profit organization, for the removal of invasive rats in Mili Atoll, Marshall Islands – $299,838

– CNMI Government for Sabana Pandanus Forest control and native trees restoration project – $75,160

An additional amount of $250,000 in emergency funding was also provided in fiscal year 2021 funding to help the CNMI control and mitigate the spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle on Rota.

For more information about OIA funds provided to counter invasive species visit: https://www.doi.gov/oia/coral-reef-and-natural-resources-initiative. (PR)