Recommendations with an Eye on the J MS FA

Transcription

1 A Recommendations with an Eye on the WHMP J MS FA S FA Mariben Espiritu Andersen, Michael Baker Jr. Inc. Amy Anderson FAA Jack McSwain FAA Hermann Smith - FAA

2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Charlotte Brown and Steven Hicks Federal Aviation Administration 2

3 Wildlife Hazard Management should be HOLISTIC Operation, Maintenance & Training Financial Planning, Design & Construction WHM Program Regulatory, Compliance, & Monitoring Environmental (Abatement Measures) Social & Education

4 Regulatory Compliance Recommendations

5 Requirements: Advisory Circular If the FAA determines that a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP) is needed, d the airport operator must formulate and implement a WHMP, using the Wildlife Hazard Assessment (WHA) as the basis for the plan. The goal of an airport s WHMP is to minimize the risk to aviation safety, airport structures or equipment, or human health posed by populations of hazardous wildlife on and around the airport. Federal Aviation Administration 5

6 Requirements: Advisory Circular The WHMP must identify hazardous wildlife attractants on or near the airport and the appropriate wildlife damage management techniques to minimize i i the wildlife hazard. It must also prioritize the management measures. Federal Aviation Administration 6

7 Requirements: Part 139 The plan must include: (1) Measures to alleviate or eliminate wildlife hazards to air carrier operations. (2) Ali list of the individuals id having authority and responsibility for implementing each aspect of the plan. (3) Requirements for and, where applicable, copies of local, state, and federal wildlife control permits. (4) Identification of resources that the certificate holder will provide to implement the plan. Federal Aviation Administration 7

8 Requirements: Part 139 Cont. The plan must include: (5) Procedures to be followed during air carrier operations. (6) A list prioritizing the following actions identified in the WHA and target dates for their initiation and completion: (a) Wildlife population management; (b) Habitat modification; and (c) Land use changes Federal Aviation Administration 8

9 Requirements: Part 139 Cont. The plan must include: (7) Procedures to review and evaluate the WHMP every 12 consecutive months or following a triggering event. (8) A training program conducted by a qualified wildlife biologist to provide airport personnel with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully carry out the WHMP. Federal Aviation Administration 9

10 Wildlife Hazard Working Group (WHWG) Airport Management Members Operations/Communication Center Public Safety (Law Enforcement and ARFF) Maintenance Air Traffic Control Airport Tenants Surrounding Stakeholders Wildlife Biologist Federal Aviation Administration 10

11 Regulatory - Federal Federal FAA NEPA and ACM* COE Section 10 & 404* EPA Pesticide GP, NPDES MSGO, Nutrient Criteria, ELGs, etc. FWS Section 7 & 10, Depredation Permit NMFS EFH coastal only *will be discussed in a separate session

12 Regulatory - State State Water Quality Protection Wetland Protection* ti Protected Species* Historic, i Archeological, l & Cultural l Resources Licenses and permits *will be discussed in a separate session

13 Regulatory - Local Landscape and Tree Protection Water Quality Protection Wetland and Upland Protection ti Land Development Code Building Code Watershed Management Plans County/City/Parish /P i

14 Social and Education Recommendations

15 Public Perception and Engagement Recognize it s a team effort and stay engaged! Coordinate with the surrounding community to ensure the effectiveness of the WHMP. Work with zoning boards to be alerted of proposed landuse changes or modifications to existing land use that could attract wildlife to the airport. Enlist the support of all airport (employees, tenants, ATC, etc.) and governing (county, city, etc.) entities for plan implementation. Federal Aviation Administration 15

16 Public Perception and Engagement Start spreading the word Combine public education activities with the local community because some activities can attract wildlife and present a danger to aircraft. Create and distribute wildlife hazard brochures which describe the species at your airport. Lecture on specific wildlife hazards in your area and reasons not tto feed din a variety of forums (including schools, public meetings, environmental group meetings, and service organization meetings) Federal Aviation Administration 16

17 Public Perception and Engagement Start spreading the word Develop a wildlife hazard hotline to encourage wildlife sighting reporting. Encourage the surrounding community to develop a wildlife management plan. Federal Aviation Administration 17

18 Planning, Design and Construction Recommendations

19 Planning and Development Airport Layout Plans Master Plan Updates

20 Development and Expansion Design Project Design according to AC 150/ B Vertical Structures Horizontal Structures Drainage Stormwater ponds Mitigation Landscaping

21 Construction Pre-construction briefing Mobilization Land disturbance Sediment and Erosion control Waste management

22 Environmental/Wildlife Abatement Recommendations

23 Biological Control Biological Control Prey predator relationship Photo by Johnny Metcalf

24 Turf Management FAA Guidelines: 6-12* inches Perhaps the single MOST EFFECTIVE deterrent!!! Grass is INDIGESTIBLE to majority of wildlife they are eating seeds, weeds, insects, & mammals NOT GRASS! #1 MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do!! *controversial Federal Aviation Administration

25 Stormwater/Aquatic Weed Management Ditches/Ponds Must maintain flow Clear vegetation Concrete linings when possible Maintain culverts Steep side slopes Federal Aviation Administration

26 Facilities and Structures Management Airport buildings & hangars Signage & Lights Netting Closing doors Anti-perching devices Tubular beams Federal Aviation Administration

27 Landscape Management Airport p Landscaping Ornamental trees Eliminate food sources Eliminate roost sites Eliminate nesting sites Water features Federal Aviation Administration

28 Waste Management Waste Management Close dumpsters/containers Public awareness Talk to your neighbors Federal Aviation Administration

29 Dispersal and Repelling Methods Exploit prey-predator relationship Federal Aviation Administration

30 Trapping and Removal Live trapping benefits: Gives the public warm fuzzies Sometimes it s the law (Gopher Tortoises) Federal Aviation Administration

31 Den, Nest, and Egg Removal Destroying Nest & Eggs Eggs can be oiled or pricked and left in nest Eggs can be removed Nests can be removed (before eggs are laid is best!) Federal Aviation Administration

32 Lethal Control Shooting Trained personnel Appropriate gun & ammo Have necessary permits Notify local l law enforcement when necessary Be prepared for BAD PRESS! Federal Aviation Administration

33 Poisoning Very limited use at airports Lethal Control Toxicants registered for birds (starlings, blackbirds, pigeons, & gulls) DRC-1339/Starlicide Only oral toxicant for birds registered by EPA Best to control pigeons/starlings around airport buildings Acute toxicant for rodents (die immediately) Zinc phosphide Expensive! Anticoagulant (chronic poison) bait stations Asphyxiation in burrow (CO cartridge) Federal Aviation Administration

34 Wildlife Management Successful airport wildlife management must integrate all management techniques. The importance of accurate monitoring and record keeping cannot be overemphasized!!! Key to program evaluation Allows for assessment of effectiveness Provides justification for management actions e.g. lethal removal of wildlife Used in litigation if necessary Federal Aviation Administration

35 Training Recommendations Mowing techniques Aquatic Weed Control WHM Training i Mosquito Control Firearms Safety Other

36 Monitoring Recommendations Are the current measures effective? When does the WHMP need to be revised/updated? WHMP review Cert Inspector Report review WH Team interview

37 Financial Recommendations Capital Costs Operating Costs Maintenance Costs Benefit and Cost Analysis Immediate term Short term Long term

38 AIP Eligibility of Wildlife Management Measures in an FAA Approved WHMP Must be designed to produce a long-term solution to the wildlife hazard. May be a stand-alone project. Habitat Modification is eligible. Bird hazard reduction equipment such as cassette tape decks, PA systems, exploding gas cannons, shotguns and pyrotechnic pistols are eligible. Expendable items such as shotgun shells and chemicals are not eligible. Federal Aviation Administration 38

39 Implementation Schedule Start NOW! Conduct a WHA Develop a WHMP Distribute and implement the plan Conduct training Acquire required permits Hire the big guns if necessary Conduct an annual review of the plan to evaluate it s effectiveness Update the plan as required Turkeys be gone! Federal Aviation Administration 39

40 Wildlife Hazard Measures Brain Storming

41 Closing the runway? Last resort wildlife measure Who has the authority to close the runway? Repercussions after closing the runway?

42 Decision Makers Who has the authority to make decisions at night? Who has the authority to make the decision to take an animal? What if the decision maker is not available?

43 Local Government Challenges How does an airport convince a solid waste department, waste water/water treatment plant, or parks department to implement wildlife hazard measures for facilities near an airport?

44 What are the creative Wildlife Abatement Measures that you have developed or observed at other airports? Photo by Johnny Metcalf

45 Outside the Fence What are the innovative measures that you have implemented or observed for wildlife attractants outside the airport property? Private property owners Restaurants and hotels Parks Golf courses Other

46 Some Resources National Wildlife Research Center Transport Canada WHMP Template ACRP Synthesis 23: Bird Harassment, Repellent, and Deterrent Techniques for Use on and near Airports