The latest news in the CAOA
We have added the presentations from our Virtual Member Meeting.
Topics include:
Find them all on our Resources page, here.
Hello Colorado Airports,
As we come to the end of 2020, we can all look back on significant challenges especially related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing impacts. We also have seen increasing attention on issues like PFAS, airport noise control, and ATC Privatization. Despite the CARES Act funding, the airlines and many of our airport businesses continue to struggle.
With the rescheduling of our Spring Conference to 2021 (still in Telluride) and continuing restrictions from COVID-19 we have not had a chance to provide important updates on these and other issues, so in the place of our normal Winter Conference we are presenting a virtual version following the CDOT-CAB meeting on January 25th. In addition to important updates from the FAA, CDOT Aeronautics, CDPHE, and AOPA, we will provide an update on the valuable CAOA sponsored training opportunities that will be coming up later in 2021 and finalize our Board elections in June. As part of the elections process, we are seeking nominations to fill the position recently vacated by Zech Papp, Salida Airport Manager. We ask you to join us in thanking Zech for his service on the Board and to request your input to nominate his replacement.
Please submit your nominations or letters of interest to Ken Lawson at lawsonk50@wildblue.net . We will be sending out the web link for the virtual Membership Meeting (Winter Conference) along with a finalized agenda shortly and we look forward to seeing you all on January 25th.
In the last 6 months, Colorado Wildlife Services welcomed 2 new team members: Sharon Scully and
Jonathan Matthews. Sharon joins Colorado Wildlife Services as the Northeast District Supervisor and
Jonathan is the new CDOT Wildlife Biologist handling wildlife management for Part 139 airports
throughout the state.
Currently, Colorado Wildlife Services is performing 3 Wildlife Hazard Assessments
at Loveland, Aspen, and Grand Junction airports. Wildlife Hazard Training has concluded for 2020, but if
you will need training in early 2021 please let Jonathan know. Finally, Jonathan is currently updating
Form 37s for Migratory Bird Depredation Permits and application letters for Amendment 14 exclusions.
If you need help with your applications, please let him know. Jonathan can be reached at:
Jonathan.Matthews@usda.gov
720-357-4273
Sharon at
Sharon.E.Scully@usda.gov
303-328-9048
National Air Transportation Association is providing the following information to encourage those opposing legislation that would privatize the Air Traffic Control System to contact their representatives. By going to www.nata.aero/actioncenter you will be able to find more information on the issue. The link also provides an easy way for the public to voice their opposition to representatives prior to the House vote on this proposal. A NATA white paper can be viewed at Myths and Facts Surrounding Air Traffic Control Corporatization and their position statement on the issue.
Congratulations to Dave Ulane, A.A.E and Bryce Shuck for receiving the CDOT “Innovator Award”. They received the recognition for their recently implements airport excise tax disbursement process improvement. The new process used the existing automated sales tax refund process to eliminate the fuel claim form, and 90% of the steps required in the old process.
Below you can find some additional information about the Colorado Seaplane Initiative. CAOA does not have an official position on this.
The Colorado Seaplane Initiative is undertaking a major campaign to obtain fair and equal access to Colorado waterways. The State of Colorado through its Parks and Wildlife Agency, has banned seaplanes from every public waterway in the State. Colorado is the only State that forbids seaplanes in this manner.
Colorado is home to 16,000+ pilots, 800+ seaplane-rated pilots, and 38 seaplane owners. General Aviation is a major economic force in Colorado producing an estimated $2.4 billion in annual economic impact.
The State’s claim of safety, security, and environmental concerns ignore facts and promote fears. General Aviation is the producer of an estimated $2.4 billion in annual economic impact to this State.
Please visit the links below for more information on the Colorado Seaplane Initiative.
In an effort to provide important information to Colorado CAOA members, please feel free to forward this email highlighting the cooperative efforts between USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services and CDOT-Division of Aeronautics (CDOT) within the state of Colorado to address wildlife hazard management for aviation safety.
One of the many roles of USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services (WS) is to alleviate wildlife hazards at airports nationwide. Since 2006, the cooperative agreement between WS and CDOT has received national recognition and has become a pro-active model for other states in need of maintaining FAA compliance in regard to wildlife concerns. Since this cooperative program began, Colorado WS program has experienced an increase in interest and support for airport wildlife management. Over the last 7 years, WS assistance to airports has expanded from 10 airports to over 25 of the 76 public-use airports in Colorado.
Responsibilities of Colorado WS’ airport program are numerous and include, conducting Wildlife Hazard Assessments, Wildlife Hazard Management Plans, Wildlife Hazard Site Visits, federal and state permitting, habitat management recommendations, surveying, wildlife control, land-use planning, and establishing and maintaining working relationships with property owners adjacent to airports. All the while, complying with Federal, state, and local laws to provide our best service to each airport.
Below is a description of services that the WS program provides to Colorado airports each year:
Wildlife Hazard Assessments (WHA)
A WHA is a detailed evaluation of wildlife conditions at an airport, documented in a formal written report to the airport manager. This is a comprehensive 12 month study where data is collected through on-site observations, surveys, and data analysis. This study is necessary for a complete evaluation of all factors contributing to wildlife hazards specific to an airport, including seasonal wildlife occurrence and abundance.
Wildlife Hazard Management Plans (WHMP)
A WHMP is a document that describes the responsibilities, policies, and procedures to reduce wildlife hazards at airports. It provides guidelines and action plans to accomplish prioritized wildlife management objectives within defined time frames. Content requirements for the plan have been established by the FAA in 14 CFR Part 139.337 (f). The WHMP is a working document that must be reviewed annually. Most certificated airports in Colorado have an FAA-approved WHMP that is reviewed and updated annually by WS and incorporated in the airports’ Airport Certification Manual (ACM). This includes reviewing each section within the WHMP such as habitat management efforts and priorities, evaluating the responsibilities of the wildlife hazard committee members, ensuring that proper federal and state permits are current and included in the plan, and confirming that wildlife control procedures were utilized on the airfield to avoid a hazardous condition. Assessing each aspect of the plan helps airport management gain an understanding of where the problems are and what methods are most effective in alleviating the concerns.
Wildlife Hazard Management Annual Training
For certificated airports, the FAA requires airport employees involved in implementing an airport’s WHMP to receive annual training (14 CFR part 139.303). Non-certificated airports have requested this training as well, but it is not required. WS develops training courses each year in wildlife hazard management according to FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5200-36. Upon completion of the training, the list of a list of airport personnel is provided to the FAA for verification during certification inspections.
Wildlife Strike Identification and Reporting
It is extremely important to the aviation industry to report “wildlife strikes”. Statistics are compiled by the FAA using data collected on the FAA Form 5200-7. The data collected helps develop management programs specific to their airports. WS helps in the identification of wildlife species that are struck, submits wildlife strike information to the FAA and provides recommendations to the airport.
Obtaining Federal and State Permits for Wildlife Control
Wildlife management on airports requires lethal and non-lethal techniques to reduce or eliminate threats to human safety or damage to aircraft and operations. State and federal permits are required in Colorado before certain species can be lethally removed or harassed from safety areas. WS assists airports with all permitting processes by completing permit applications and submitting required documentation.
Wildlife Control
Wildlife population management is often necessary to address immediate hazards to human health and safety caused by wildlife. WS possesses all the necessary permits and licenses to conduct direct control activities to reduce hazardous wildlife populations on/near airfields. This includes the use of toxicants and pesticides with a Qualified Supervisor Pesticide License and Firearms Certifications. Wildlife control is a necessary tool that airports can and do rely on WS to conduct on their airfields. Airport managers contact WS for non-lethal, as well as lethal measures on their airfield. For example, prairie dog control continues to be a priority for many airports in Colorado and management of populations on an airfield is difficult and time-consuming, yet imperative due to safety concerns. Prairie dogs pose an immediate threat by burrowing within safety areas as well as attracting numerous predators to the airfield including hawks, owls and eagles and coyotes which can cause significant damage to aircraft.
In conclusion, ALL Colorado airports are able to accomplish wildlife management objectives more efficiently and effectively when CDOT collaborates with WS. WS will continue to provide exceptional service to the Colorado airport system because of the increasing requirements, awareness and support of the program by airport managers.
Attached are some interesting highlights of the accomplishments of our wildlife hazard management program for Colorado airports during 2013. As always, thank you for your continued cooperation and support to ensure we are maintaining high standards to protect Colorado’s aviation community.
Sincerely,
Kendra Cross
USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services
12345 W. Alameda Pkwy Ste 204
Lakewood, CO
303.236.5815 office
303.859.0399 cell
