Airport Master Plan 2012 - City of Waterville

Wildlife Habitat
The Airport provides habitat for a variety of wildlife. As previously stated, groundcover on airport
property is mowed regularly and is dominated by various grasses and other herbaceous species. Forested
areas are located to the east and west of Runway 5-23. Forested habitat consists primarily of hardwood
species including quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), red maple (Acer rubrum), white ash (Fraxinus
americana), and birch (Betula spp). White pines (Pinus strobus) are interspersed throughout mixed
hardwood stands. Sapling and scrub-shrub wetland vegetation consisting of speckled alder (Alnus
rugosa), willow (Salix spp.), quaking aspen, and larch (Larix laricina) is prominent in the southwestern
corner of the airport property. Mixed-forest stands, mowed fields, and wetlands provide habitat for a
variety of species including white-tailed deer and wild turkey which are occasionally seen on airport
property 8 . Additionally, aviation reports indicate frequent sightings of gulls within the vicinity of the
Airport. 9 Gulls are likely drawn to the area by the refuse from multiple restaurants located on Kennedy
Memorial Drive.
Although a chain-link security fence encompasses the airfield, the fence does not completely restrict the
wildlife, including larger mammals such as deer, from entering the Airport property. 10 The fence is
reported to be in good general condition however, the fence is damaged along the southernmost limit of
airport property. Additionally, the fence traverses through dense vegetation in many regions of airport
property.
Vegetation Management
In April, 2006, the City produced a Vegetation Management Plan as a preliminary planning document to
address compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 77, Objects Affecting Navigable
Airspace (FAR Part 77). The report cited the need for a complete wetland delineation of the Airport and
surrounding properties containing protected airspace as well as aerial photogrammetry work. The report
identified areas suspected to require cutting although a comprehensive airspace analysis would be
required to determine actual limits of obstructions.
Implementing vegetation management strategies and maintaining obstruction free approaches is critical to
airport operations not only from a safety standpoint but for economic reasons as well. In April, 2006, a
Vegetation Management Plan 11 (VMP) was produced in order to provide guidance with the
implementation of a long-term vegetation maintenance program for the Airport. As a preliminary
planning document utilizing existing information, this report identified problem areas and concluded the
plan needs to be updated with more comprehensive aerial photogrammetry and wetland delineation data.
Further analysis is necessary to determine whether vegetative obstructions or penetrations (vegetation
growing within 15 feet of protected airspace) occur within wetlands on or off airport property. Wetland
delineation will be required on the entire airport property and runway approaches on surrounding
properties. If necessary, the appropriate permits must be obtained prior to initiating vegetation
management efforts within wetlands.
Vegetation growing near or against the fence has compromised the effectiveness of the fence as a wildlife
barrier. 12 The 2006 VMP recommends that fence repairs should be conducted on an ongoing basis, as
well as vegetation management measures to prevent damage. Wildlife currently enters the Airport
8 Vegetation Management Plan for Waterville Robert LaFleur Airport. April, 2006. Prepared by Dufresne-Henry, Inc.
9
Personal Communication. Greg Thibeault, Assistant Airport Manager. October 19, 2007.
10
Ibid.
11
Vegetation Management Plan for Waterville Robert LaFleur Airport. April, 2006. Prepared by Dufresne-Henry, Inc.
12
Ibid.
The City of Waterville Maine
Baseline Conditions – Page 1-19
Airport Solutions Group, LLC & The Louis Berger Group, Inc. December 2011