Findings
The City had nets that covered the ponds at the wastewater treatment
that prevented the entry of ducks and geese. This net was destroyed
during a hurricane and has not been replaced due to the $50,000
replacement cost.
The Seymour Johnson AFB BASH Plan establishes a Bird Exclusion Zone,
which includes the runway, taxiways, and parking ramps, as well as
much of the base’s improved property that is within 1/2 mile of the
runway. The area within this zone will not tolerate large
concentrations of birds. This area is much smaller than the FAAs
recommended five statute mile area around the AOA for all airports.
Seymour Johnson AFB goes through the USDA to coordinate with the City of
Goldsboro to mitigate bird and wildlife attractants in the area surrounding
the installation. When there are BASH concerns on private property in the
City of Goldsboro, USDA completes Form 37, which provides Seymour
Johnson permission to enter the private property to employ non‐lethal
techniques to control wildlife. The installation has also experienced BASH
concerns with vultures roosting on water towers in Wayne County. When
addressing this BASH concern, the installation works with the Southern
Wayne Sanitary District or Wayne Water District to employ non‐lethal
techniques to remove birds from the water tower.
The installation’s BASH Plan identifies the responsibilities of the 4 Fighter
Wing / Safety Office (FW / SE) and the USDA for addressing known hazards
associated with bird and wildlife strikes on and near Seymour Johnson AFB.
Seymour Johnson’s BASH Plan identifies how the base coordinates
with the USDA on mitigation tactics, but there is no mention of
coordination with the city or county, which would be necessary for
controlling land uses off‐installation.
Existing Tools
Seymour Johnson AFB Bird / Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard Plan
Seymour Johnson’s BASH Plan outlines protocols for monitoring and
controlling conditions near the installation that serve as attractants to the
abundance of birds in the area. The Plan establishes a BHWG in conjunction
with a BHWT, on a quarterly basis to discuss topics relevant to the time of
year, e.g., wintering waterfowl, grass cutting, fall migration.
ISSUE
SA‐2
Coordination for Bird/ Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard
Mitigation Efforts
Need for coordinated multi‐jurisdictional effort to
address threats from bird / wildlife aircraft strikes
surrounding Seymour Johnson AFB.
The BHWG meetings are attended by:
Compatibility Assessment
The region around Seymour Johnson AFB includes vast wetlands, the
Neuse River, wildlife preserves, and other water bodies. The Base’s location
within the Atlantic Flyway, can attract large populations of migratory birds in
addition to the area’s large population of res