Okaloosa County BOCC — May 5, 2015 — USDA Cooperative Service Agreement Wildlife Hazard Management at — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: May 5, 2015 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Sunil Harman SUBJECT: USDA Cooperative Service Agreement Wildlife Hazard Management at Bob Sikes Airport (CEW) DEPARTMENT: Airport BCC DISTRICT: 1 STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The Department of Airports, in order to comply with Federal Aviation Administration operational safety requirements, has negotiated and the County has entered into a service agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for managing Hazardous Wildlife at the Bob Sikes Airport (CEW) and is providing the Service Agreement to the Board of County Commissioners for awareness and informational purposes only. BACKGROUND: Late last year, an aircraft operating at Bob Sikes Airport struck a deer on the airfield resulting in extensive damage to the aircraft. The FAA has a zero tolerance policy for wildlife hazards in the aircraft operating area because of the extreme threat they pose to aviation safety. In addition, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Statute 68A-9.012, states that airports in Florida are authorized to manage wildlife on airport property for the purpose of ensuring aircraft and human safety. The USDA provides similar wildlife depredation operations to the United States Air Force on the airfield at Eglin Air Force Base. The agreement shall become effective when signed and will expire on September 30, 2015. Annual fees will not exceed $19,187.00. OPTIONS: Information Item Only RECOMMENDATIONS: The Department of Airports, in order to comply with Federal Aviation Administration operational safety requirements, has negotiated and the County has entered into a service agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for managing Hazardous Wildlife at the Bob Sikes Airport (CEW). RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator