Airport tests new way to avoid deadly bird strikes: Tall grass USA Today August 12, 2014 http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2014/08/12/airport-tests-new-way-to-avoid-deadly-bird-strikes-tall-grass/13975967/

Steps of the Public Policy Analyst (PPA) Define the Problem Gather the Evidence Identify the Causes Evaluate an Existing Policy Develop Solutions Select the Best Solution (Feasibility vs. Effectiveness)

Step 1: Define the Problem Problem Statement: Bird strikes on airplanes in the U.S. Location: The United States Undesirable consequences: Loss of lives Loss of property Dead birds

Step 2: Gather the Evidence 10,000 airplane bird strikes per year in U.S. Damage of $950,000,000 a year to planes US Airways flight 1549 “Miracle on the Hudson” Eastern Air Lines flight 375 in 1960 (62 dead) Globally, bird strikes have killed more than 250 people since 1988 and destroyed over 229 aircrafts. Since 1991 in the U.S. 25 fatalities and 279 injuries 2001-2013: 218 wildlife strikes at Dayton airport

Step 3: Identify the Causes Airports often built next to large tracts on uninhabited land. These fields are used often by migratory birds. Short grass in these areas prevents predators from attacking flocks.

Step 4: Examine an Existing Policy Chemically treated food baits Distress calls broadcast Birds captured and relocated Poisons Shotguns Specialists to break eggs and remove nesting materials Loud noises, pyrotechnics, recordings of geese in distress

Step 5: Develop New Solutions Tall grass, don’t mow as often Lights fitted with anti-perching devices Tubular steel beams for terminals and hangars Landscaping: types of trees, vegetation that doesn’t produce seeds Waste properly secured Irrigation improved to avoid standing water

Benefits and Drawbacks Tall grass leads to: Less maintenance Takes carbon dioxide out of air Birds not harmed Increased rodent population Food source for raptors