Fence proposed for southern end of Groton-New London Airport
Groton — An 8-foot chain-link fence topped with barbed wire would be erected at the south end of the Groton-New London Airport property, along the Poquonnock River and Baker Cove.
The fence is needed to reduce hazards to aircraft and passengers from deer, coyotes, raccoons and woodchucks, as well as geese and other birds, according to a study conducted for the Connecticut Airport Authority, the agency that oversees the airport.
According to a Draft Environmental Assessment prepared for the project, 256 collisions between aircraft and wildlife occurred at the airport from June 1990 to Sept. 2015, mostly with birds.
The 489-acre airport property, across Baker Cove from Bluff Point State Park, is enclosed by a fence on three sides, but wildlife accesses tidal and freshwater wetlands, grassy fields and runways at the southern end of the property, using the areas “for foraging, hunting, nesting and loafing,” according to the report.
Alisa Sisic, spokeswoman for the airport authority, said the fence is needed to improve safety and prevent human injury.
The project would include regular inspections and repairs to the fence.
The project, slated for 2018, partially would be funded by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Cost estimates have not yet been developed, Sisic said, because a final design has not yet been chosen.
A public informational meeting on the project will take place June 23 at the City of Groton Municipal Building Auditorium.
The airport authority is accepting comments on the proposed project through July 1.
Dennis Schain, spokesman for the state Department of Energy and Environmental protection, said DEEP will be providing comments.
The agency will be assessing any impacts of the project on tidal wetlands and coastal areas.
Permits from DEEP’s Office of Long Island Sound Programs will be required, he said.
Permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also would be needed.
In an October letter to the airport authority, David Fox, senior environmental analyst at DEEP, said the project should minimize impacts to tidal wetlands.
More information:
What: Public informational meeting
When: 7 p.m. June 23
Where: City of Groton Municipal Building Auditorium.
A copy of the project map and the draft Environmental Impact Evaluation can be found at http://bit.ly/1PsHr4l.
Comments on the project will be accepted until July 1.
Comments should be sent to: Robert Bruno, director of planning, engineering & environmental; Connecticut Airport Authority; 334 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Suite 160; Windsor Locks, CT 06096; or by phone at (860) 254-5516; or by email to environmental@ctairports.org.
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.
