Dear Friends, I realize it’s been a while since I last sent an update. That is because things have been very quiet regarding the Farallon Islands aerial rat poison drop. While the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) for the Farallon Islands Mouse Eradication Project has not been officially withdrawn, there has been no word on the status of the project from USFWS. USFWS has yet to respond to the 500 plus comments they have received for the EIS, and the project is not listed on the work plan for the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council for this year. This is goodness, however Island Watch will remain vigilant and closely monitor the activities of USFWS and Island Conservation. We have an urgent need right now – and Hawaii needs your help. The same consortium of USFWS and sole-source contractor, Island Conservation is attempting the same project for Lehua Island, located off the coast of Kauai. What is planned is three drops totaling 11.5 tons of the anticoagulant rodenticide, diphacinone. The helicopter rat poison drops were supposed to begin last week, but things are at a standstill, as the Chair of the Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture has yet to sign the necessary permit for the aerial drop. Details for the Lehua aerial poison drop were not communicated to the Native Hawaiian community, and our friends in Hawaii have quickly mobilized to fight this injustice. Native Hawaiian subsistence and commercial fisherman are threatened, as is a rare reef system, endangered monk seals and endangered green sea turtles. The people on Kauai recently launched a petition on Change.org, and I am asking that you please sign and circulate this petition on social media. You can find the link here: https://www.change.org/p/add-your-name-to-help-stop-the-drop-of-10-tons-of-rat-poison-on-hawaii-s-lehua-island With your help, we stopped the Farallon Islands poison drop from happening. Right now, the people of Kauai need your support. Thank you.