The goals of the BHWG are further supported by Maxwell AFB ’ s Natural Resource personnel through the use of the base ’ s Natural Resource Plan ( NRP ) in the management of natural resources on the base that correlate to bird / wildlife activities .
Maxwell AFB ’ s NRP incorporates the BASH Plan by reference , and provides details on maintaining the areas around the airfield in accordance with the BASH Plan to limit wildlife attractants . The NRP identifies spring and fall as the seasons associated with the greatest number of bird strikes , but also recognizes that the geographic location and warm weather at Maxwell AFB supports a healthy year‐round bird population . The NRP is consistent with the BASH Plan in stating that non‐lethal measures are preferred for bird control , but that organized shootings of Canada geese are sometimes coordinated with the USDA and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources . Elements of the base ’ s Golf Course Environmental Management ( GEM ) Plan have also been incorporated into the NRP , which includes an objective for minimizing or eliminating potential BASH hazards through golf course management practices . Additional component plans include Fish and Wildlife Management , which has several objectives for managing wildlife habitats in order to ensure aircraft and aircrew safety such as :
• Identifying responsible parties for the review of proposed base activities and work requests for BASH concerns ;
• Identifying the responsible party for maintaining all landscaping in accordance with the criteria defined in the BASH Plan ;
• Minimize or eliminate birdhouses , fruit trees , certain crops , edge effects , perches , and other features near the airfield that are attractive to wildlife ;
• Continue the use of non‐lethal dispersal methods identified in BASH Plan to discourage and disperse wildlife on the airfield ;
• Coordinate with the USDA for Canad when necessary ; and ,
• Continue to comply with the author depredation permit issued by the US
The BASH footprint encompasses land outside th where hazard control needs to be coordinated w The efforts of the military to maintain and prese airfields can create conditions that are attractive important to minimize attractive food sources an the BASH Relevancy Area .
Sources : Maxwell AFB Natural Resource Management ABW Bird / Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard ( BASH ) Plan
Findings
• The unmaintained ditch near the western wetlands near the base lakes creates food
• There are land uses within the five‐mile BA encourage birds and wildlife in the area .
• While the Maxwell AFB BASH Plan establis with the community and property owners Plan does not identify points of contact w jurisdictions for coordination of BASH‐rela
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