When Regulations Collide: Designing for Hazardous Wildlife. and Stormwater at Airports

Transcription

1 When Regulations Collide: Designing for Hazardous Wildlife and Stormwater at Airports ACI Environmental April 8, 2009 Dave Felstul, Water Resources Principal Aviation Stormwater Design Manual 1

2 What s s the Big Deal? Aircraft wildlife strikes are the second leading cause of aviation- related accidents. Collisions cost the United States civil aviation industry $500-$600 $600 million in direct damage and associated costs per year. From small aircraft American bittern Canada goose 2

3 to the largest aircraft 2005, near Tacoma, WA, C-130 struck a Bald Eagle US Airways Flight 1549 January 15, 2009 Airbus A320 3,000 feet altitude 9 miles out of LaGuardia 242 mph No serious injuries Miracle on the Hudson 3

4 Other Recent Incidents November 10, Ryanair jet in Rome struck flock of starlings while landing. January 4, Sikorsky helicopter crashed in Gulf of Mexico, killing 8. Now thought to be birdstrike. March 16, Delta 1053 hit seagulls shortly after takeoff in New Orleans, severely damaging one engine. The Boeing 757 returned safely. Wildlife strikes increasing Annual number of wildlife strikes reported to the FAA, ,000 Total Strikes Total Commercial Strikes/10,000,000 Commercial Movements 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,

5 Annual Collisions with Large Birds Waterfowl, gulls, and raptors represented 42% of reported bird strikes causing damage to aircraft in the U.S. from 1990 through s 323 strikes, 10 with engine damage , 12 with engine damage Bird strike database to be kept secret Jan 2009 AP filed Freedom of Information Act request after Flight 1549 in Hudson River. Feb 18 FAA promised data. Mar 17 FAA proposed in Fed Register to keep database secret. Worries that public will overreact and airports and airlines will stop reporting strikes. Been proposals to mandate reporting of strikes. 5

6 What about regulations? Airports and Stormwater Requirements continue to grow: NPDES permits TMDL requirements Dissolved metals Flow duration, not just peak flows Deicer discharges Airports often near sensitive areas 6

7 Airports and Safety FAA requirements: Airspace restrictions Surrounding land use Soil load bearing No standing water Emergency vehicle access Airports and Habitat Airports provide some of best habitat Wildlife looks for food, water, shelter Airports have large open areas Airports often located near water features Many threatened/endangered species found at or near airports Bald eagles Salmon 7

8 Aviation Stormwater Design Manual Washington State Legislature formed task force in 2004 to address wildlife attractants 28 Member task force included legislative staff, airports, environmental and community groups, state and federal wildlife agencies, USDA Wildlife Services, Department of Ecology, and the Federal Aviation Administration Federal Aviation Administration AIP Grant in August of 2006 Herrera Environmental hired to lead effort for manual Technical Sub-Committee chosen to assist Airport Manual Project Objectives Safety Compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements Consideration of airport operations and community issues Consider stormwater BMP s as wildlife attractants Predictability in the regulatory process Approval by Department of Ecology and WSDOT 8

9 Manual balances regulatory concerns Endangered Species Act Clean Water Act, Section 401 and 404 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidance for addressing hazardous wildlife What Are the Causes? 9

10 Most wildlife strikes occur on or in immediate proximity to the airfield 0-3,000 ft = 92% of strikes ft = 73% of strikes ft = 60% of strikes Wildlife Attractants Animals look for food, water, shelter Airports often have all of the above Stormwater facilities are very attractive Different wildlife have different needs Hawk vs. Duck 10

11 Hazardous Wildlife Varies Waterfowl Raptors Doves and Pigeons Cranes Herons Shorebirds Crows/Ravens Other small birds Deer Coyotes Other Populations of 13 of the 14 bird species in North America with mean body masses >8lbs have shown significant increases in the last 30 years. 11

12 How Do We Reduce Strikes? There are two general approaches for mitigating wildlife hazards 1. REACTIVE APPROACHES Harassment Population Control a. Trapping b. Lethal Control 2. PROACTIVE APPROACHES Habitat Management Exclusion 12

13 Why not just erect barriers? How Is This Manual Different? 13

14 How is this stormwater manual different? Identify hazardous wildlife How is this stormwater manual different? Decrease standing water 14

15 How is this stormwater manual different? Modify regular BMPs (pond, swales, infiltration) Encourage innovative BMPs (LID, gravel biofilter) How is this stormwater manual different? Facilities clustered on same side of runway 15

16 How is this stormwater manual different? Vegetation selection (avoid food and shelter) How is this stormwater manual different? Consider maintenance access Safety concerns (supportive soils) 16

17 Airport Stormwater Design Manual (ASDM) Chapter 1: Introduction Purpose Federal and State Regulations Relationship of Manual to other Stormwater Programs Chapter 2: Airport Operations and Stormwater Airport Operation Zones and Restrictions Airport Stormwater Considerations Chapter 3: Stormwater and Wildlife Planning Wildlife Inventory and Monitoring Site Planning BMP Considerations and Adaptive Stormwater Facility Design Chapter 4: Best Management Practices and Selection Flow Control and Treatment Selection Process Chapter 5: Hydrologic Considerations for Airports Methods of Analysis Infiltration and BMP Design Chapter 6: BMPs For Stormwater Source Control Operations and Maintenance Example - Detention Pond AR.09 Physical Narrow pond Steep sides Straight banks Two-celled Covered section Drains completely Vegetation Limited height Little variety Restrict sightlines Non-food All or nothing cover of pond surface 17

18 AR.12 Vegetated Filter Strip Eastern Washington Yes Western Washington Yes Runway Object Free Area (OFA) Yes* Safety Area (RSA) No Landside Areas Yes Taxiway Safety Area (TSA) No Clearway (CWY) Yes AR.05 Infiltration trench 18

19 AR.08 Grass pavers AR.08 Porous pavement 19

20 AR.10 Detention vault SeaTac Main Takeaway Lessons? 20

21 Airport Stormwater Management Can t Be Done in a Vacuum Regulatory Status Manual Organization Approved Vegetation Identifying Hazardous Wildlife Certified Airport Wildlife Biologist Impacts on Wildlife Open Water Controls Area of Influence It s Just a Start Manual recognizes each airport is unique Manual serves as a model for airport stormwater management nationwide Endorsed by FAA Northwest Mountain Region Washington Ecology equivalent manual Posted on WSDOT website address for feedback 21

22 Contact Information USDA Wildlife Services (866) Herrera Environmental Dave Felstul (503) x101 rtstormwaterguidancemanual.htm 22