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Chaffee County airport plans to replace de-energized sections of electric wildlife fence with permanent fencing
Summary
Airport staff described interference between the electric wildlife fence and the automated weather system, ordered materials and equipment, and expects help from Southwest Conservation Corps this summer to fill gaps with non-electric fencing.
Chaffee County Airport staff told the airport board during their meeting that they will replace sections of electric wildlife fence that were de-energized after the fence began triggering the airport automated weather observation system (AWOS).
A staff member said the electric fence caused the AWOS to show lightning and rain when the fence was energized, so the board rewired the system and shut off the electric fence in the affected stretch. Staff ordered equipment—a hydraulic post pounder compatible with the airport’s tractors and skid steer—and a pallet of wildlife fencing described in the meeting as 8 feet tall and in 330-foot rolls to fill the gap where the fence was turned off.
The board discussed whether to re-locate replacement fencing to the airport property line where practical while they replace the de-energized sections. An airport staff member said the airport checks the perimeter daily and relies on pilot reports for wildlife incursions; staff reported they are “comfortable” with the interim arrangement while materials arrive and installation proceeds.
Airport staff said the Southwest Conservation Corps will provide a crew to assist with fencing work this summer. Staff characterized that assistance as a week of crew time but did not specify whether the figure given in the meeting referred to hours, labor value, or another unit.
Board members asked about risk from the temporarily de-energized section. Staff responded that most wildlife incursions have occurred near runway ends and draws rather than in the straight sections currently de-energized, and emphasized that the replacement project is intended to reduce that risk.
The board also discussed budget flexibility for unplanned repairs and maintenance. Staff said budget lines for repairs and maintenance and capital outlay provide some flexibility for projects under county procurement thresholds, and that purchases under small-dollar thresholds can be handled without returning to the county commissioners.
The airport’s plan calls for installing corner posts and intersections first, with stringing of fencing to follow, and for using airport labor and the Conservation Corps crew to complete work. No final timetable or cost estimate was provided in the meeting.
