Making the grade: Using the wildlife hazard management program evaluation report card (PERC) tool
Lisa Harmon
Aviation and Environmental Planner
Mead & Hunt, Inc.
180 Promenade Circle, Suite 240
Sacramento, California, USA 95834
1 (191) 699-3465
lisa.harmon@meadhunt.com
and
Marieke Armstrong
Environmental Planner
Mead & Hunt, Inc.
180 Promenade Circle, Suite 240
Sacramento, California, USA 95834
marieke.armstrong@meadhunt.com
Abstract: Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 139.337, Wildlife Hazard Management, requires operators of certificated airports in the United States to review their Wildlife Hazard Management Plans (WHMPs) every 12 consecutive months or immediately following a triggering event. Although operators of general aviation airports are not required to submit their WHMPs to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for review, some state agencies will require the review of a WHMP during annual safety inspection. Although FAA Advisory Circular (AC)150/5200-38, Protocol for the Conduct and Review of Wildlife Hazard Site Visits, Wildlife Hazard Assessments, and Wildlife Hazard Management Plans, provides guidance to assist airport operators in reviewing their WHMPs, the AC does not provide a standard approach to evaluate whether the plan is successful or effective in addressing known wildlife hazards.
During an 18-month period in from 2021 to 2022, a research team led by Mead & Hunt, Inc. conducted extensive research with regulators, agencies, and representatives from diverse airports nationwide. The research, which included peer exchanges, interviews, and case studies, culminated in the publication of ACRP Report 250, Wildlife Hazard Management Plan/Program Evaluation Report Card (PERC) Tool and User’s Guide. The PERC Tool, which is free of charge, uses readily available Excel software to provide an easy-to-use, scalable tool to determine the overall effectiveness of an airport’s WHMP in reducing wildlife risks over time as well as the effectiveness of each component measure included in the WHMP/Program. The PERC Tool generates output in real time by producing a Program Evaluation Report Card (Report Card). The Report Card presents output as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) using graphs, gauges, and charts to identify program compliance (if necessary), trends in wildlife strike history over time, and specific measures or areas for improvement. The easy-to-read Report Card can be used to facilitate a greater understanding of the breadth of an airport’s wildlife management program and its effectiveness, and it can be used to facilitate communication between wildlife managers and diverse stakeholders. The proposed presentation will summarize the project-related goals, research effort, findings, and provide a live demonstration of the PERC Tool and its output.
Lisa Harmon
Lisa Harmon is an aviation and environmental planner with more than 20 years of experience. She manages large, multidisciplinary projects to help airport clients achieve compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. With special expertise in airport wildlife management, Lisa has worked with more than 80 airports to develop wildlife hazard assessment and management plans that comply with federal regulations while addressing aviation site-specific conditions. She has facilitated the development of wildlife hazard management programs at airports located in some of the nation’s most challenging landscapes. Lisa has spoken internationally about land use compatibility, wildlife hazard management, and advanced air mobility. She recently served as the Principal Investigator for ACRP Project 250, Program Evaluation Report Card (PERC) Tool for Wildlife Hazard Management Plans.
Marieke Armstrong
Marieke Armstrong is an environmental and aviation planner with over 20 years of planning and environmental experience. She serves as a technical lead providing regulatory analysis and compliance, agency coordination, planning and environmental document preparation to support aviation and water resources projects nationwide. Marieke has worked on several projects related to land use, aviation safety and wildlife hazards including several management assessments and management plans at airports across the United States. Marieke is also experienced in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and assists Airport clients with data creation and analyses to support feasibility and planning phases of design projects.