HomeMy WebLinkAboutAvian Radar Monitoring
Augusta Richmond GA
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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
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Figure 1. GMI MARS Unit 2 (VerCat X and Horizontal S)
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.