Airport staff reviewed a wildlife hazard site-visit report and stakeholder survey and began a federal environmental and obstruction analysis to evaluate tree clearing and potential fence construction near runway approaches.
The report, compiled from stakeholder responses, identifies the highest-risk wildlife on the airfield as Canada geese, white-tailed deer and coyotes and recommends habitat-management changes, fencing options and other mitigation. Staff said the draft report will be circulated to the Federal Aviation Administration and MassDOT for comment, with a requested response deadline of Aug. 31 and a goal of presenting a final report by the September meeting.
The wildlife report summarizes current mowing and grass-height management (noting that airport mowing generally keeps grass “less than 6 inches most of the time”), documents observed animals and evidence, and lists harassment/hazing methods used to disperse geese. The report also notes staff-resourcing limitations: the airport has one part-time employee available for wildlife tasks, which the consultant flagged as a constraint on executing recommendations.
Separately, the city executed an FAA grant agreement and confirmed the local match is available; staff said they are circulating consultant contracts and have started an obstruction analysis of both runway approaches. That analysis will identify trees that may penetrate approach surfaces, indicate whether each tree is on airport or private property, and present options for achieving either a visual or a nonprecision instrument approach. No tree-removal decisions are being made during the obstruction analysis phase, staff said; decision-making will come later in the environmental-assessment phase.
A subcontractor, GCA GeoEnvironmental, began on-site wetland flagging of airport property to map any wetlands that the federal environmental assessment must consider; staff said the contractor expected to finish that fieldwork by Friday. The environmental assessment consultant (New Earth Ecological, as identified by staff) will combine the obstruction analysis, wetland mapping and wildlife-hazard findings to advise on permitting and buffer requirements tied to any future fence or vegetation work.
Staff asked reviewers to submit comments by Aug. 31 so the consultant can incorporate them into a final report for the September meeting. No formal action was taken during the session; the item is at the study and review stage.