by Nick Delgado

Guam - The US Department of Interior's Office of Insular Affairs approved $2.6 million for the brown tree snake control in the current fiscal year funding. The funds will be divided between Guam, Hawaii, and the CNMI. Guam's Department of Agriculture will get $200,000 to continue native species restoration, including efforts to recover the Ko'Ko' (Guam Rail) on Cocos Island.

A news release states, the APHIS National Wildlife research center got additional funding to continue developing artificial bait delivery systems. The CNMI will get $336,579 to operate its interdiction program, and Hawaii will get $262,420 to continue its interdiction and detector dog programs. Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Area Tony Babuta states, "Together, these funds strengthen our first and second lines of defense against the invasive brown tree snake by supporting the development of new methods of control and ensuring the snake does not enter new jurisdictions."

Additionally the US Geological survey received $1.1 million to continue research to develop better tools and methods to catch juvenile snakes, and the US Fish and Wildlife received funding to develop a five year strategic plan to ensure funding is utilized by highest priority.