Findings
Less than half the southern CZ is not controlled or managed by the AF,
subjecting the majority of this area to local land use controls.
The City of Montgomery’s zoning map does not reflect the easements
between the AF and property owners for the southern CZ.
There are zoning districts in the southern CZ that are not compatible
with AICUZ guidance.
ISSUE
SA‐4
Bird Air Strike Hazard Awareness Concern
General concern about Bird Air Strike Hazard (BASH)
incidents. While Maxwell AFB updates its BASH Plan upon
mission changes and monitors the conditions indicative of
high risk potential of BASH incidents, it is important to
maintain an awareness of the BASH environment in this area
to decrease the risk to safety and property damage.
Certain types of land uses and water features have the potential to attract
birds and wildlife, such as landfills and waste disposal operations, golf
courses, water treatment facilities, wetlands, fishing operations, and natural
water bodies, i.e. the Alabama River. Due to the increased risk that
accompanies bird activity, the FAA and the military recommend that land
uses that attract birds and wildlife be discouraged wherever possible inside
the BASH Relevancy Area, which is a five statute area around the entire air
operations area (AOA).
Maxwell AFB is not located within any major flyway for migratory birds;
however, there is moderate avian activity in the area around the installation.
This activity is largely attributed to the numerous water bodies both on‐ and
off‐base, including the Alabama River and West End Ditch, as well as the
forested areas and farm lands, both north and west of the installation. In
June 2017
addition to the abundance of aquatic and natural areas surrounding
Maxwell AFB, there is also a wastewater treatment facility proximate to the
northern end of the landing zone, and three landfills located within the
BASH Relevancy Area. Figure 5.21‐4 illustrates the potential hazard areas,
both natural and manmade, within the BASH Relevancy Area.
During 1993 and 1994, three baseline surveys of avian species were
conducted, producing observations of 27, 68, and 46 different species
respectively. The species most commonly found on or near the base
wetlands, west of the airfield, include the great blue heron, great egret, little
blue heron, green‐backed heron, and prothonotary warbler. Canada geese
are prevalent throughout the base, with congregations frequently
encountered near the base lakes and golf course ponds, northeast of the
airfield.
The bird strike activity for Maxwell AFB between 2000‐2015 is provided on
Figure 5.21‐5. The figure shows that prior to 2013, bird strikes were a
greater issue for the base resulting in more than 10 strikes per year.
However since 2013, the base has reported less than 10 bird strike incidents
per year.
Background Report
Page 5‐107