2929thth Annual Airport Conference Annual Airport Conference Hershey, PAHershey, PA

Wildlife Hazard ManagementWildlife Hazard Management

USDA APHIS Wildlife ServicesUSDA APHIS Wildlife Services

Why are we here?Why are we here?

14 CFR Part 139.337(a) … each certificate 14 CFR Part 139.337(a) … each certificate holder shall take immediate action to holder shall take immediate action to alleviate wildlife hazards whenever they are alleviate wildlife hazards whenever they are detecteddetected

WILDLIFE HAZARD ASSESSMENT (WHA)WILDLIFE HAZARD ASSESSMENT (WHA)

139.337 (d) The WHA shall be submitted to the 139.337 (d) The WHA shall be submitted to the FAA for approval and determination of the FAA for approval and determination of the need for a wildlife hazard management plan need for a wildlife hazard management plan

(WHMP)(WHMP)

FAA considers:FAA considers:

1.1. WHAWHA2.2. Actions recommended in WHAActions recommended in WHA3.3. Aeronautical activity at the airport – Aeronautical activity at the airport –

frequency and sizefrequency and size4.4. Views of the certificate holderViews of the certificate holder5.5. Views of the airport usersViews of the airport users6.6. Other known factors relating to wildlife Other known factors relating to wildlife

hazards of which the FAA is awarehazards of which the FAA is aware

139.337 (e) If a WHMP is needed, the 139.337 (e) If a WHMP is needed, the certificate holder shall formulate and certificate holder shall formulate and

implement a plan using the WHA as a basis. implement a plan using the WHA as a basis. The plan shall…The plan shall…

1.1. Provide measures to Provide measures to alleviate, or eliminate alleviate, or eliminate wildlife hazards…wildlife hazards…

2.2. Be submitted to, and Be submitted to, and approved by, the FAA approved by, the FAA prior to prior to implementationimplementation

3.3. ……become a part of become a part of the Airport the Airport Certification ManualCertification Manual

139.337 (f) Plan shall include 139.337 (f) Plan shall include at least the following:at least the following:

1.1. List individuals having authority and List individuals having authority and responsibility for implementation of responsibility for implementation of each aspecteach aspect

2.2. A list prioritizing the following actions A list prioritizing the following actions identified in the WHA and target dates identified in the WHA and target dates for their initiation and completionfor their initiation and completion

3.3. Requirements for and, where Requirements for and, where applicable, copies of local, State, and applicable, copies of local, State, and Federal wildlife control permitsFederal wildlife control permits

4.4. Identification of resources that the Identification of resources that the certificate holder will provide to certificate holder will provide to implement the planimplement the plan

139.337 (f) 139.337 (f) continued:continued:

5.5. Procedures to be followed during air Procedures to be followed during air carrier operationscarrier operations

6.6. Procedures to review and evaluate the Procedures to review and evaluate the WHMP annually or following an event WHMP annually or following an event described in (b), (1), (2), or (3)described in (b), (1), (2), or (3)

7.7. Training program conducted by a Training program conducted by a qualified wildlife damage management qualified wildlife damage management biologistbiologist to provide airport personnel to provide airport personnel with the knowledge and skills needed with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully carry out the planto successfully carry out the plan

Following review of the WHMP:

The Plan is returned The Plan is returned

to the airport for to the airport for inclusion in the inclusion in the Airport Certification Airport Certification Manual and Manual and becomes becomes enforceable.enforceable.

USDA APHIS Wildlife ServicesUSDA APHIS Wildlife Services

Technical expertise Technical expertise

Operational assistanceOperational assistance

Review of proposed developments Review of proposed developments

Recommendations for reducing wildlife Recommendations for reducing wildlife hazardshazards

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between FAA and WS

Wildlife Services provides:

Wildlife Services InvolvementWildlife Services Involvement

REQUEST FORASSISTANCE

INITIALCONSULTATION

COOPERATIVEAGREEMENT

TECHNICALASSISTANCE

RECOMMENDATIONS

WILDLIFE HAZARDASSESSMENT

WILDLIFE HAZARDMANAGEMENT

PLAN

WSOPERATIONALMANAGEMENT

How do you manage wildlife at How do you manage wildlife at airports??airports??

Identify hazardsIdentify hazards

Report strikes!!!Report strikes!!!

Habitat managementHabitat management

Behavioral Behavioral modifications modifications (harassment)(harassment)

Population controlPopulation control

Identify the hazards.

Report all strikesReport all strikes

Habitat management – don’t give Habitat management – don’t give them a place to live!them a place to live!

Remove habitatRemove habitat

ExclusionExclusion

Harassment: pyrotechnicsHarassment: pyrotechnics

Gas cannon - timer

Bangers/screamers –manual

Is this scarecrow working?

Population ControlPopulation Control

TrappingTrappingPole trap

Bal chatritrap

Cage trap

Attention!! Lethal control of certain species Attention!! Lethal control of certain species requires the appropriate State and/or requires the appropriate State and/or

Federal permit.Federal permit.

SummarySummary

Variety of techniques to manage birds Variety of techniques to manage birds at airportsat airports

Best to use an integrated approachBest to use an integrated approach

– Includes:Includes:

Technical assistanceTechnical assistance

Habitat managementHabitat management

Non-lethal techniquesNon-lethal techniques

Lethal managementLethal management

Our Goal:

Safer skies for all who fly:

Birds and People !