Laserfiche WebLink
Bowers Field Wildlife Hazard Management Plan <br /> management inside the AOA fence. This will provide a minimal amount of forage, <br /> nesting, and hiding opportunity for hazardous wildlife,while making it easiest for ELN <br /> and aviators to see hazardous wildlife using the infield. This should also result in fewer <br /> insects and small mammals present at the airfield,which can reduce the presence of <br /> predatory animals that are a direct risk to aviation safety. Controlled burning,herbicides, <br /> and physical removal/manipulation(e.g.,mowing) are widely accepted tools. <br /> Clover and alfalfa species will be exempted from seed mixtures used at ELN. <br /> 5.1.4 Pasture/Uplands <br /> This habitat was the most abundant and only found outside the AOA fence. It held the <br /> greatest vegetation diversity as well. Numerous ditches,ponds, shrubs, grass areas, <br /> paved surfaces, and woodlands were contained within this habitat. It ranked 31d in <br /> hazardous wildlife abundance and 4' in frequency per acre. The amount of vegetation <br /> diversity and edge habitat compound the attractiveness of this habitat type. Reducing <br /> vegetation diversity and edges is a known BMP for airport habitat management. <br /> Controlled burning,herbicides, and physical removal/manipulation(e.g.,brush hogging) <br /> are widely accepted tools. <br /> Cattle grazing is used to help manage vegetation heights and diversity while providing a <br /> revenue source for airfield management. The WHE noted that if calving did not occur on <br /> airport property, cattle grazing did not appear to serve as a notable wildlife hazard <br /> attractant. <br /> 5.1.5 Pavement <br /> Pavement was the 3rd most abundant habitat at the airfield and the least attractive. It can <br /> be important because many species use it for foraging on(e.g.,worms escaping flooded <br /> soil are easy targets and insects have nowhere to hide to avoid predators), warming <br /> themselves on cold days, and/or soaring in the thermals caused from the pavement <br /> heating. <br /> Removal is the only known method for addressing pavement that is a significant <br /> hazardous wildlife attractant. Pavement is not a significant attractant at ELN. <br /> 5.2 Cattle Grazing <br /> ELN leases areas outside of the AOA for cattle grazing. Calving activities are not <br /> permitted and dead cows must be immediately removed to avoid attracting hazardous <br /> scavengers(e.g., bald eagles, crows,magpies,ravens, and vultures). The WHE <br /> 5-2 <br /> 31 December 2024 <br />