Vegetation Management of Aviation Rights-of-Way

摘要

Vegetation is a constant threat to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) protected flight sur-faces. As a matter of human safety these surfaces need to be kept clear just like all rights-of-way(ROW). This paper details the definition, analysis, and solutions to vegetative impacts at state air-ports in New England. Unlike most utility ROWs, airports encounter vegetation problems fromgrass to mature trees that interfere with protected surfaces. Vegetation has to be managed withtechniques ranging from mowing to selective thinning of mature forests. FAA protected surfacespose unique problems determining where the surface is, what areas are to be cleared and how,and how to illustrate the protected surfaces and their correlation to the determined clearing areas.A Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to analyze the difference between ground con-tours and the FAA surfaces. This analysis allowed for the development of compatible vegetationzones underneath the flight surfaces. A field survey of each airport was done to classify existingvegetation. This information was used in the creation of a Vegetation Management Plan usingIntegrated Pest Management principles to establish stable communities, which are important forimproving and streamlining airport clearing management as well as decreasing disruptions tonatural and sensitive resources. This integrated approach resulted in solving permitting problemswith state environmental agencies, providing a cost effective solution for the funding agencies,and a long-term implementation plan for the airports.