Pilots and environmental advocates on Thursday urged Austin city leaders to reject the expansion of a landfill near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, fearing an increased danger of jets colliding with vultures and other birds drawn to the site.
Jeffrey Jacoby, deputy director for Texas Campaign for the Environment, was one of a handful Thursday who urged the City Council to reject the expansion of the Travis County Landfill, saying it would “put in danger the flying public for the next 13 years…”
The landfill, located less than a mile from the airport, would increase its lifespan by about 13 years if the expansion goes forward. An official hearing regarding the expansion will be held at City Hall on March 26.
While the dump only accepts unwanted construction materials, Jacoby and other advocates believe operators allow decaying waste to slip through its gates.
“It’s highly doubtful you would have turkey vultures frequenting the dump if there was not rotting waste,” Jacoby said.
Jacoby presented photos taken at the landfill over the past few weeks, which show several turkey vultures perched on top the trash. Other photos show large birds flying near passenger planes.
Several Council Members Thursday requested the issues raised by the pilots and activists be placed on the agenda for the Airport Advisory Commission’s next meeting.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is no stranger to bird strikes, according to airport officials.
In December, the airport reported a total of 175 bird strikes had occurred within a 5-mile radius of the airport that year, with closely the same number the year before.
The airport even has its own wildlife management team, which documents bird sightings and strikes near the runways. The team also works to remove carcasses from nearby roads and at the landfill to reduce food available for those larger birds.
However, Mandy McClendon, communications manager for the airport, said Wednesday while there are bird strikes at the airport, there is no data directly linking the nearby landfill to them. She said airport officials told the Council they have no objection to the expansion of the landfill.
Jose Corona, owner of Austin Helicopter Tours, told Council bird sightings at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport are the worst he has seen at any airport over the past 20 years.
“My concern is that eventually they will take down an aircraft,” Corona said. “I’m hoping the city reconsiders that expansion.”
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