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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAvian Radar Monitoring Augusta Richmond GA DOCUMENT NAME: A~\a'() wro'( \fbJYto'(\~ DOCUMENT TYPE:?'(~~Ov\ YEAR: . BOX NUMBER: \:s FILE NUMBER: \ Lo au q NUMBER OF PAGES: '1 J{ t((~ ~ . ". 0\ C~lltlnUeQ' ~ _'; r", <'I.' ~ -\,-," ~ ~. ';i, ~ GEO-MARlNE '" ~ v..~ ~ t <"? "S ~ ~\o ~ C'nviroTlI1\e GEO-MARlNE, INC. 3160 Airport Rd., Suite 22A Panama City, Flonda 32405 phone: !!50.913.!!003 email: gmi@geo-marine.com tax: l:\50.913.95!!2 website: geo-manne.com March 15,2002 VIA EXPRESS MAIL Allen Saxon City of Augusta Utilities 360 Bay Street, Suite 180 Augusta, GA 30901 (706) 312-4153 Dear Mr. Saxon, Enclosed are proposals for consulting services and for the sale/lease of an avian radar monitoring system. Prices were based upon current radar and computer component costs and may vary slightly over the next few months. We are excited about the possibility of working with you and your staff on this important and interesting issue. Please give me a call if there are any questions. 7~ Ron Merritt Director, GMI Avian Research Laboratory End: Consulting Proposal Avian Radar Monitoring Proposal Scope of Work Avian Monitoring System For City of Augusta Utilities City of Augusta, Georgia (Richmond County) 1. Project Description. This scope shall provide for design, construction, and delivery of a radar-based bird monitoring system for the City of Augusta, Georgia, Messerly Wastewater Treatment Facility. This project would include all materials and labor necessary to monitor bird activity in the aircraft approach/departure path over the wastewater treatment facility for extended periods of time. Data collected by this system would be used to determine daily and seasonal activity patterns, assess impacts associated with changing habitat management strategies at the wastewater plant and provide wastewater staff and airport staff with critical information that would greatly assist in active dispersal of birds at both sites. 2. Background. A moderate bird and wildlife hazard exists at the Bush field Augusta Airport. This hazard is mainly associated with the proximity of the airport to the Savannah River and the Phinizy Swamp. Other attractants include the "Mayor's fishing Pond", and the wetland areas associated with the City of Augusta, James B. Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant. Specially designed and constructed wetlands at the treatment facility are part of an effort to improve the quality of municipal wastewater discharges from the plant. These wetlands are designed to process effluent from the treatment facility through constructed cells with specific plant communities and for specific periods of time to maximize nitrogen uptake. In 1999, Geo-Marine, Inc., conducted an on-site assessment of the airport and wastewater treatment facility and developed an integrated management plan for the control of birds and wildlife. The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory who conducted aerial surveys and the Clemson University Ornithological Group who conducted ground surveys collected much of the data used to develop the plan. Since that time, the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory has continued work in the area, limiting the surveys to areas closer to the airport. While aerial surveys and ground counts continue to provide information on the arrival and departure times of major bird groups, the limitations offield surveys/counts along with the dynamics of bird movements both daily and seasonally results in large gaps of time when bird activity is not monitored. To more accurately assess bird activity associated with the wastewater plant, a monitoring program using modified marine radar could be implemented. Such a radar system should be capable of operating round the clock with only periodic down time for maintenance. The system should be aligned to capture biological targets in the approach path, categorize the targets into size classes, estimate altitude, and write the data to a database that can be used for trend analysis. 3. Types of Radar Systems. GMJ has developed several radar-based bird monitoring systems over the past 8 years. The type of radar system developed was driven by the type of data required to answer specific questions. GMJ's experience on military bombing ranges, air bases, landfills, and commercial airports resulted in development of technologies that allow the best possible use of individual radar features with minimal oversight by personnel. Monitoring systems that require an operator to watch the radar visually are labor intensive, and have the inherit bias of the operator's interpretation of the display. The manpower costs of having an operator observe the radar on a 24 hour a day, seven day a week schedule, are generally prohibitive. Additionally, post event monitoring of data saved to tape or other media require extensive man-hours. The VerCat system developed by GMJ is an innovative approach to using marine radar. The VerCat system uses an X-band (3 cm) wavelength radar turned on the side to spin in a windmill fashion. This focuses the radar beam into a corridor of interest (such as the approach to an runway) and allows for the estimation of target altitude. Additionally, the VerCat system captures radar data for immediate possessing with a personal computer (PC). This allows the system to develop site-specific clutter mapping (updated every thirty minutes) and for classification of residual targets using a variety of parameters that allows for identification of biological targets as well as target classification by size. The data collected by VerCat are immediately available for analysis and are written to Access Database. These data sets require periodic downloading (every few days). Processed VerCat data can be linked from the radar site to other users via modem or optical links for immediate review and response. GMI also uses the X-band radar in a traditional horizontal mode to scan the area in a horizontal plane. Data generated in ~:,~~~, :tl '. :f11.....,.,.., >~ '. ~.~~~-~.~:~' p , ,';",:,2~:"t::-,..~.:-",~~'. 'f,\:t:4t~.-,.::;:" Figure 1. GMI MARS Unit 2 (VerCat X and Horizontal S) ... -:' the horizontal mode are helpful in determining the direction of bird movements all around the airport, not just in the approach corridors. In the horizontal plane, altitude discrimination is problematic and not generally attempted without using a very narrow beam antenna. Such pencil beam antennas are not used on OMI radar systems due to their very limited field of view. S-band (10 cm) radar are also available and have been used by GMI on a variety of platforms. The longer wavelength radar have greater range but are biased towards larger targets. Often GMI will use an S-band radar in horizontal mode and an X-band in VerCat mode to provide 3-dimentional assessment of a specific area (figure I). Options are available that allow a radar system to function in real time in an operational environment such as for bird avoidance at an airport or bombing range. These systems require redundant components and power back up not required for a monitoring system. Monitoring systems, however, can be upgraded for operational use. 4. Scope of Services. Following a review of the issues at the Messerly Wastewater Treatment Facility, and Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field, GMI would recommend the use of mobile VerCat (X-Band) system for monitoring bird activity in the approach over the wastewater treatment plant. The system could be moved to a variety of locations until the optimum location was determined. At that point the system could be set up to operate under AC power. OMI would build the unit, deliver and install the system, and provide technical support both on and off-site. Data analysis could be accomplished using the consultation services agreement. Work shall begin within 30 days of the notice to proceed. The work shall consist of but not be limited to: 4.1. Radar Unit Construction. 4.2. Delivery and Installation. 4.3. Technical Support. 4.4. Data Analysis 5. Schedule and Deliverables. The following deliverables will be provided as scheduled below: Deliverable Schedule 5.1 Construct Radar Unit 90 Days after NTP 5.2 Delivery and Installation Within 30 days After construction complete 5.3 Technical Support As required 5.4 Data Analysis Quarterly or as requested .. ~ 6. Cost Estimate. Radar Units can be purchased or leased. The cost of each system is based upon configuration with a vertical scan X-band system. S-band horizontal scan capability can be added later if needed. Several options are provided below: 6.1. MARS Rental. This includes the radar system, a full-time, on-site technician and data analysis support. This option is best when determining the specific use of the system or to evaluate periods of time when bird activity is known to be greatest. $ 5,000/week 6.2. MARS Lease (one year). This includes the construction, and setup of a mobile or stationary system on-site. All equipment maintenance (replacement of magnetrons, etc), and technical support via INTERNET or phone is provided. The client would provide the site, and appropriate power supply/phone lines, etc. $ 102,000/year 6.3. MARS Lease (two years). Same as in 6.2 but for a period of two years. $ 62,000/year 6.4. MARS Lease (three years) Same as in 6.2 but for a period of three years. $ 48,000/year 6.5. MARS Purchase. This includes the construction and setup of a mobile or stationary system. Technical support is provided for 30 days. $ 71,000 7. Other costs. The MARS unit will require a power source/outlet and phone connection, The cost of installation of these would be the responsibility of the City of Augusta Utilities. Utilities costs (electrical and phone) should be less than $150 per month and would also be the responsibility of the City of Augusta. 8. Recommendation. The best solution to the issues presented at the last meeting concerning the long-term needs of the airport and the wastewater plant is the 3-year lease option. This would allow sufficient time to collect data that would clearly quantify daily and seasonal bird activity over the constructed wetlands. A two-year study could be meaningful if collected data show low variance seasonally. The importance of a third year is the statistical significance it brings to data analysis. With the airport master plan including the possible development of a parallel runway, the data collected from this study could be used to evaluate the actual impact of the constructed wetland as well as provide for comparison with surrounding land uses. These data could be crucial in addressing a variety of impacts that would be have to be assessed during the environmental impact statement. Additionally, the lease agreement includes technical support that would further assist the wastewater plant and the airport in bird and wildlife management issues. .., ~t Scope of Work Consulting Services For City of Augusta Utilities City of Augusta, Georgia (Richmond County) 1. Project Description. This document shall provide for consultation services to the Department of Utilities, City of Augusta, Georgia. Consultation services will be provided in the areas of bird and wildlife hazard management, airport safety associated with bird and wildlife activities on or near the airport, review of proposed research aimed at bird aircraft conflict resolution, and recommendations on technical solutions. 2. Background. The City of Augusta, GA, is responsible for a wastewater treatment facility located north of the Augusta Regional Airport (Bush Field). Recent developments at the wastewater facility have included the use of wetlands for polishing nitrogen from the wastewater prior to discharge. The location of the existing wetlands and proposed expansion of wetlands relative to the approach and departure paths to the main runway at Richmond Regional Airport are of concern due to the potential for bird attraction. The airport and the wastewater treatment facility have developed an integrated management strategy to minimize impacts at each facility and are working to coordinate these efforts. Additionally, the City has continued a monitoring program under contract with a local university. Annual survey reports are prepared following these survey periods. 3. Scope of Services. Work shall begin immediately upon the notice to proceed. The work shall consist of but not be limited to: 3.1. Document Review. Review of all documents/data associated with bird and wildlife hazard issues at the wastewater plant and regional airport. This would include review of bird strike data, management plans, previous research and surveys, and proposed research and surveys. 3.2. Training Workshop. An interactive training workshop will be conducted annually for all staff associated with harassment activities. Training will include bird identification, wildlife management strategies, harassment tactics, state and federal laws, and documentation. 3.3. Report Preparation. Upon request a formal report will be prepared with evaluations and recommendations. .... ( ;; .. 3.4. Meetings. Representation at meeting, public hearings, etc., regarding review of documents, and bird/wildlife hazard issues in general. 4. Schedule and Deliverables. The following deliverables will be provided as scheduled below: Deliverable Schedule 4.1 Document Reviews Immediately upon NTP 4.2 Formal Report 30 Days after request to review 4.3 Meetings 30 Day advance notice preferred 5. Cost Estimate. Geo-Marine, Inc., shall be compensated on a Time and Materials basis. Only the actual time and expenses required will be billed. The Client will be notified in the event that field conditions or unanticipated conditions occur which may result in higher cost for this Agreement. (Note. These estimates are for Geo- Marine, Inc., and expenses only, and do include the cost of materials and equipment that may be necessary for the facility to implement the Wildlife Hazard Control Plan (e.g. guns, pyrotechnics, ammunition, cannons, etc.). Estimated cost are as follows for each deliverable: 5.1. Labor Category Senior Consultant (Mr. Merritt) Senior Radar Ornithologist(Mr. Zakrajesk) Wildlife Hazard Specialist (Mr. West) Admin Support (Ms. Lewis) Labor Rate/Hour $ 120 $ 65 $ 55 $ 32 5.2. Travel (based on Government per diem rates) 5.2.1. Lodging $55 5.2.2. Meals $28 5.2.3. Mileage (36.5 cents per mile) 5.3. Estimated Annual Cost. Based upon quarterly visits to Augusta for meetings, training, and program review, the annual cost for the services listed above should not exceed: $ 12,000. This cost would be reduced by halfifa GMI lease radar was on-site as technical support for the system would address many of the issues that would be reviewed under a consultation agreement.