Fowl hazards near airport discussed at council meeting

One of the first discussions to take place at the Cape Girardeau City Council's Monday night meeting centered on the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

Airport officials were concerned about additional rice fields being planted in the area and possibly attracting large waterfowl such as ducks and geese. The animals, which are attracted by the rice grains and standing water, pose risks to flying aircraft.

David Westrich owns property near the airport along Nash Road and leases land to farmers. He and lawyer Craig Billmeyer attended the council meeting to share information about discussions they recently had with airport manager Bruce Loy. Billmeyer said the farmer who wishes to plant the rice field has agreed not to allow hunting on the field, which eliminates some concern.

Some farmers allow standing water to remain on their fields after harvest to intentionally attract waterfowl, then allow hunters to come onto the property. Billmeyer said the animals, particularly geese, will be attracted to the rice field and many other food crops, but Westrich and the farmer leasing the land have no intentions to attract the birds unnecessarily.

They also expressed interest in allowing Loy to disrupt the birds and encourage them not to settle in the area if he notices a flock in or around the field. He also has permission to contact authorities if he sees hunting taking place in the field.

Loy said Westrich and the farmer have been "good neighbors" to the airport. When discussion of the rice field first began, Loy was afraid hunting might take place in the field, but knowing that's not the case "mitigates the majority of my concern," he said. But Loy worries the airport may one day have a less accommodating neighbor.

The Federal Aviation Administration recommends airports that sell Jet-A fuel, like the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, keep a 10,000-foot buffer between the airport and "hazardous wildlife attractants," including flooded rice fields intended for hunting purposes. But Loy said no laws or regulations exist granting the airport the authority to maintain that buffer or prevent someone from bringing an attractant inside the buffer zone. He told the council he plans to continue looking into the matter and possibly working with local representatives to establish legislation that would grant airports more authority on the matter.

Other business

• The council unanimously approved an agreement with Koehler Engineering and Land Surveying to conduct a traffic study at the intersection of Independence Street and Gordonville Road, which regularly sees significant congestion. Funds for the $8,739 study were made available by the Federal Highway Administration through its Surface Transportation Program, coordinated through the Missouri Department of Transportation. It requires a 20 percent match from the city that will come from TTF4 funds.
• The council also gave unanimous approval to an ordinance establishing no parking anytime along the northeast corner of the West End Boulevard and Independence Street intersection. The suggestion was prompted by complaints about parked vehicles in the area blocking traffic on West End. City manager Scott Meyer said city staff believed posting no parking signs would help alleviate the number of complaints.

Staff review of the intersection showed there was not sufficient space for parking and through travel in the area. The measure initially approved by the council establishes no parking on the east side of West End Boulevard for a distance of 153 feet north of its intersection with Independence Street.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Independence Street and Gordonville Road, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Independence Street and West End Boulevard, Cape Girardeau, Mo.