Eight regional airports and two small airports stated that they
did not have a draft or approved AWMP in place. However,
depending upon the level of risk at each airport, this may not be
needed if a risk assessment has determined that low risk conditions
exist (based on the criteria of Canadian Aviation Regulations Section
Sec 302.302(1)). It is not known whether the ten airports had
carried out the appropriate assessment.
One national airport respondent described the airport environment
as ‘‘An island within an urban landscape. The area
provides habitat, food and water and is virtually predator free.’’
Mitigating the hazard caused by attractants most often involves
manipulating the habitat and restricting access to the attractant,
but can also mean changing land use patterns, activities and
practices. Mitigating attractants and management of animals on
airports is an ongoing activity. As one respondent replied ‘‘Wildlife
management itself is an oxymoron. The exercise is one of due
diligence and resource allocation. Expectations must also be
managed, particularly those of the regulator and user. The risks can
only be dealt with, not eliminated’’.
Airside or groundside attractants are under the jurisdiction of the
airport, and more easily managed than attractants located outside
airport boundaries. Onsite animal management can be rendered
ineffective by off-airport attractants. For example, one airport
manager reported as their biggest issue a Ducks Unlimited pond
managed for habitat within 8 km of the airport. The manager noted
‘‘At this point in time, I don’t mind them being there, if they don’t
mindmedoing very aggressive bird control onmy side of the fence’’.
The Aeronautics Act, Section 5.4(2), provides the authority to
enact airport zoning regulations that prohibit land uses adjacent to
airports deemed hazardous to aircraft operations, including land
uses that increase bird hazard. Transport Canada has identified bird
hazard zones within radii of 8 km and 3.2 km of specified airport
reference points and within these zones specific activities and
practices that attract animals are designated as extremely or
moderately hazardous and are not recommended.