Travis AFB Sustainability Study Report Final Background Report | Page 148
Figure 5.4‐3.
Pacific Flyway Migration Routes
Other conservation areas nearby Travis are located within the Suisun Marsh,
about two miles south of Travis AFB. The Hill Slough Wildlife Area consists
of about 1,700 acres of salt tidal marsh, managed marshes, sloughs and
upland grassland and the Peytonia Slough Ecological Reserve consists of
117 acres of brackish and salt marsh and low uplands. Another preserve
south of Travis is Rush Ranch, 2,070 acres of marsh and rolling grassland and
is designated a part of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research
Reserve. The Grizzly Island Wildlife Areas, also south of Travis, consist of
88,000 acres of land, bays and sloughs and are managed by the
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Conservation areas within the
Suisun Marsh have the potential to attract shore birds, blackbirds, geese and
ducks, egrets, cormorants, and pelicans.
Potential Future Off‐Base BASH Hazards
Source: http://www.birdfeeders.com/blog/wild‐bird/pacific‐flyway‐migration/
Note: Approximate location of Travis AFB added by Matrix Design Group
Wilcox Ranch is a 1,342‐acre area that directly borders the east side of
Travis AFB. The 1,566‐acre Jepson Prairie Preserve is owned by the
Solano Land Trust and is located approximately four miles east of Travis AFB.
These open spaces have the potential to attract hawks, swallows, sparrows,
owls, eagles, and vultures.
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Travis AFB contains and is surrounded by areas with relatively undisturbed
natural resources. While Travis AFB supports the conservation of natural
resources and complies with federal and state regulations, the Base also
works to limit bird activity on and around the Base to prevent bird / wildlife
aircraft strike hazards (BASH). These efforts include reducing bird
attractants by controlling vegetation, modifying habitat, and the elimination
of roosting sites. Travis AFB meets and communicates with
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) representatives to
monitor and discourage industries that attract birds to the local area,
especially in the approach and departure corridors. Figure 5.4‐1 shows the
conservation and preservation areas nearby Travis AFB, along with the
five‐mile BASH Relevancy Area.
As resource management agencies, including the CDFW, work to protect and
manage wildlife and their habitats, which involves the acquisition,
preservation, and restoration of wildlife areas, these activities can increase
BASH potential. The California EcoRestore initiative being carried out by the
California Natural Resources Agency is working to restore 30,000 acres of
critical habitat in the Sacramento‐San Joaquin Delta. Projects within
Compatibility Assessment