Opinion ID: 870822
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Plaintiffs' Reply Evidence in Support of Cross-Motion

Text: In further support of their cross-motion for summary judgment, the plaintiffs submitted evidence in their November 8, 2006 reply memorandum, regarding new information about monk seals in the project area that was not previously available. Specifically, the plaintiffs deposed Charles Littnan, Ph.D. (Dr. Littnan), a marine mammal ecologist who has studied the habitat requirements, diet, and feeding behavior of the Hawaiian monk seal for over ten years. According to Dr. Littnan, both the beach and near shore areas of the project are now known to be a foraging habitat to the monk seal population, the beach has been identified as an important hauling out habitat, [8] and the first recorded pupping of Hawaiian monk seals in the project area occurred on June 1, 2006. Dr. Littnan stated that the numerous recently reported sightings of monk seals in the area suggest that the beaches and near shore areas of the [p]roject are critical to the regeneration of the monk seal population because there are numerous beaches on [O'ahu] which have had no reported sightings of monk seals on them, indicating that some beaches are not attractive to monk seals. Several seal species have been shown to have preference for particular beach characteristics ( e.g. [,] slope, exposure to swells, substrate [sand or rock], proximity to feeding areas), so it is reasonable to believe monk seals have similar criteria in their choice of beach. Further, the fact that multiple seals have used this area indicates that there is something that is causing them to select it specifically. As a result, Dr. Littnan stated that he expect[s] that the number of pups born in the main Hawaiian [i]slands will continue to increase each year for the foreseeable future, and[,] assuming there are no changes in the conditions of the [r]esort [a]rea, it is very likely that the monk seals will continue to use the . . . [a]rea as a habitat for pupping. Dr. Littnan further testified that, although the project area is not currently designated as a critical habitat, the last critical habitat assessment for Hawaiian monk seals was performed prior to the increased presence of monk seals in the [m]ain Hawaiian [i]slands, [and] it cannot be assumed that the [p]roject area will not be so designated in the future.