KC Adopt Wildlife Hazard Plan Bower Field

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Bowers Field Wildlife Hazard Management Plan the USFWS or WDFW, depending on the species involved, should be contacted for assistance (see Table 1 for a listing of federal threatened or endangered species which may be present at ELN). ELN wildlife control personnel will learn to identify pertinent T&E species and understand the regulatory permitting processes required for their effective management. No control activities will be aimed toward T&E species without appropriate authorization. Attracting T&E species to an area they may be accidently killed by aircraft is counter- productive to their well-being. In order to protect aviation safety, T&E species, and species of federal/state concern, ELN will avoid establishing habitat on the airfield that could attract T&E species and species of federal/state concern. This action is congruous with FAA CertAlert 06-07. 4.7.2 Avoiding Imnacts to Threatened and Endangered Species There were no federally -listed T&E, proposed, or candidate species observed during the WHE. The proposed actions outlined in this WHMP involve application of the most appropriate, effective, and biologically sound wildlife control methods available. This approach is known as Integrated Wildlife Damage Management and includes habitat management and direct control. Collisions between birds and aircraft nearly always result in the death of the bird, in addition to threatening human safety. Consequently, potential T&E species and eagle nesting habitat on and around the airfield will be eliminated to the extent possible, thus discouraging T&E species and eagles from being drawn to the area where they may be struck and killed. Guidelines in this WHMP were developed to ensure wildlife hazard management activities would not have adverse effects on threatened or endangered species, eagles, or designated critical habitat, while protecting the species from being struck and killed. Habitat management provides the greatest long-term remedial measure for reducing wildlife attractions on an airfield. Habitat management measures are discussed in Section 5 of this WHMP and include elimination of standing water and incorporating wildlife considerations in the early planning stages of new construction projects. Proper habitat management can prevent T&E species from being attracted to the airport in the first place. Direct control efforts generally provide a more immediate response to hazardous situations, but the desired effects are often not long-lasting. Some of the wildlife control and dispersal methods that may be employed at ELN include pyrotechnic hazing, Mylar flash tape, vehicular harassment, nest removal, selective trapping, and shooting air rifles, rifles, and shotguns. No direct control will be conducted towards T&E species without first obtaining authorization from the USFWS or WDFW. 31 December 2024